MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Two leading US Senators anticipate an economic crisis in Argentina, soon

Republican Marco Rubio and Democrat Bob Menéndez, from the Senate foreign relations committee

The current Argentine economic situation reached the US Capitol during the hearings to consider President Obama's nomination for future ambassador in Buenos Aires, and what was said was not encouraging.

 Noahn Mamet, the candidate was a strong contributor to Obama's re-election in 2012 with half a million dollars. However although being a businessman well travelled he admitted having never visited Argentina, while two members from the US Senate Foreign Relations committee anticipated an economic crisis in Argentina, most probably and sooner than later.

Republican Senator for Florida Marco Rubio and Bob Menéndez, Democrat from New Jersey agreed they were unsatisfied with financer Mamet testimony and also pointed out that “probably there will be an economic crisis, soon, in Argentina”.

“I feel disappointed, I have many concerns because the candidate for ambassador needs more in depth knowledge” on Argentina, said Senator Menendez who is also chair of the powerful foreign relations committee.

“To hold the position in the embassy at Argentina you need someone with experience. I have nothing personal against Mamet, but I'm concerned he does not have the necessary experience for the post”, said Senator Rubio.

Furthermore the Republican party press office distributed a video with the fragment during the hearing when Mamet confesses he has never been to Argentina.

Rubio said the appointment in Buenos Aires is 'a delicate one' and again forecasted an economic crisis soon, thus the importance of having someone with experience at the job.

The Republican Senator also caught candidate Mamet when after reading a strong and critical piece on the situation in Argentina, he said that “Argentina is an ally with which we have fundamental discrepancies”.

“Argentina must be the most peculiar ally in the world since it does not pay its debts and does not cooperate militarily”, replied Rubio.

Both Menéndez and Rubio described Argentina as an example of the prevailing tendency in the region where governments are democratically elected but then limit or restrict freedom of the press and the judiciary branch.

The foreign affairs committee must approve the nomination which then goes to the full house for a vote.

Mamet if he is finally approved to replace current ambassador Vilma Martinez, pledged he will work to expand cooperation with Argentina in issues of mutual interest such as energy, human rights, education and non proliferation of nuclear arms.