Salazar Requests Fair Treatment for Argentina’s Milei from the IMF

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) sent letters to Department of the Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva urging them to negotiate Argentina’s $900 million payment due to the IMF on December 21, 2023.

President Milei was inaugurated into office on December 10, presenting him with an immediate challenge to find a way to credibly assure the IMF that Argentina will restore order to its public finances. While Milei has taken immediate measures to address Argentina’s budgetary shortfalls, 11 days is simply not enough time for his policies to take effect. The United States must recognize this problem and help our longstanding Latin American ally’s new president to bring about the change the Argentine people voted for.

“President Milei is not only an economist, but a good economist,” wrote Chairwoman Salazar. “Milei will pay down Argentina’s debt and bring prosperity to his country – he just needs time.”

Chairwoman Salazar attended the inauguration of President Javier Milei on December 10, 2023. After meeting with several of his cabinet officials, it was clear that Milei’s free market agenda would be the course of action necessary to rectify a nation that has been hollowed out by socialist economics.

Bipartisan representatives from the United States understand that while Milei’s economic agenda successfully addresses the roots of the economic crisis, there must be more time for these policies to be implemented.

To address this concern, Chairwoman Salazar is urging the Biden Administration to recognize the United States’ longstanding commitment to our partnership with Argentina by advocating for the IMF to reach an agreement with the Milei Administration to meet their obligations.

To read the letter Rep. Salazar sent to the Treasury Department, click here.

To read the letter Rep. Salazar sent to the International Monetary Fund, click here.

Congresswoman Salazar represents over ten thousand Argentine Americans in Florida’s 27th congressional district.

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