Argentine diplomacy fail: Swiss ambassador received with Danish flag

The credentials of the Swiss ambassador in Buenos Aires, Hans Ruedi Bortis, were received by the Argentine Foreign Ministry, but instead of accompanying the ceremony with the flag of the Swiss country, he did it with the flag of Denmark.

The diplomatic confusion generated a request for the resignation of Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero by Congressman Ricardo López Murphy. “Resign, and I offer you free training,” he stated.

The reaction of the deputy of “Juntos por el Cambio” (“Together for Change”) was accompanied by several questions from experts in ceremonial and protocol, who understood that the correct use of flags is something basic of diplomacy, in the act headed by María Jimena Rivero, director of Ceremonial of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship.

In the official photo between Rivero and the Swiss diplomat, the flag is not seen behind his back since, according to the Argentine media, the mistake was noticed, and the Danish flag was removed after Ruedi Bortis complained.

SANTIAGO CAFIERO’S DIPLOMATIC MISTAKES

It is not the first time that Santiago Cafiero has been the target of criticism for his management at the head of Argentine diplomacy, López Murphy recalled.

“The fact that the Chancellor does not speak English is a mistake, but the fact that he receives the ambassador of Switzerland with the flag of Denmark is an unacceptable lack of respect. Resign, and I offer you free training, @SantiagoCafiero,” he posted on his Twitter account.

The parliamentarian alluded to the speech given by the Argentine Foreign Minister at the international fair Expo Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. The Association of Sworn Translators of the City of Buenos Aires (CTPCBA) expressed concern about Cafiero’s low English level.

After that mistake, “Junto por el Cambio” had already requested that the Chancellor resign. Opposition parliamentarians presented a draft resolution in the Chamber of Deputies, demanding the removal of the official from the highest Argentine diplomatic body.

With information from El Dinamo