The American website Axios reported that the US internal security department (DHS) paused last week an agreement for the entry of Argentina in Visa Waiver Program or Visa Exemption Program (VWP).
The program allows most citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States to tourism or business for up to 90 days without the need for a visa and today benefits citizens of 42 nations.
Argentina’s entrance to VWP had been combined in late July, when Argentina president Javier Milei met in Buenos Aires with US internal security secretary Kristi Noem.
Axios learned from two sources with knowledge of the situation that the pause occurred after the signing of the declaration of intent with the Argentine government caused discomfort within Trump management, as it would have been made by Noem without previously communicating Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rubio and White House Chief Susie Wiles then issued a memorandum to remind all federal authorities that they needed prior authorization to execute such agreements.
According to the investigation of Axios, the State Department is concerned about allegations of corruption at the National Disability Agency (andis) involving Milei’s sister and presidential secretary general, Karina Milei, and wants to better discuss the issue with Argentina before closing the deal.
In a note sent to Axios, DHS said that “there is no new or additional document related to VWP signing pending with Argentina.” Milei management told the American portal that it does not publicly talk about “details of private diplomatic conversations.”
Argentina was part of VWP until 2002, when it was removed from the program due to the economic crisis in the country.
