Argentina’s Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein has resigned from office, the presidential palace announced Wednesday, becoming the second top diplomat to step down under President Javier Milei’s administration.

While the government did not provide an official explanation or name a successor, local media reported that Werthein — who had originally intended to leave after Sunday’s legislative elections — submitted his resignation late Tuesday night.

Werthein, a prominent businessman and former ambassador to the United States, had served as foreign minister for nearly a year. He replaced Diana Mondino, who was dismissed after voting in favor of lifting the U.S. embargo on Cuba at the United Nations, a move that angered Milei’s right-wing coalition.

His resignation adds to the perception of instability within Milei’s cabinet, which has seen a series of reshuffles since the libertarian president took office last year.

The departure comes just days before a critical midterm vote, as Milei’s La Libertad Avanza party seeks to increase its modest presence in Congress. The president hopes to secure enough seats to advance his controversial austerity and economic reform agenda, which includes sweeping spending cuts and deregulation measures.

Public frustration has been mounting over rising inflation, subsidy cuts, and job losses, as well as a recent corruption scandal that has put further pressure on the administration.

Werthein’s exit also comes at a sensitive time for Argentina’s foreign relations, particularly with Washington. The U.S. Treasury has linked future financial support to the results of the upcoming elections, having already approved a $20 billion currency swap with Buenos Aires and reportedly preparing an additional $20 billion funding facility with private investors.

Milei recently signaled that a broader cabinet reshuffle may follow the elections as part of a strategy to “strengthen the team” and stabilize his reform program amid growing domestic and international scrutiny.

Werthein’s sudden resignation underscores the political turbulence facing Milei’s government as it struggles to balance economic recovery, public discontent, and diplomatic expectations.

For now, the foreign ministry remains leaderless — and Argentina, once again, finds itself navigating both political fragility at home and heightened pressure abroad.