Argentine President Withdraws BRICS Entrance Application

ILLUSTRATION OF UNSPLASH/Nestor Barbitta

JAKARTA - Argentine President Javier Milei announced his country will not join Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) blocs.

"The government considers it inappropriate if the Republic of Argentina is fully included as a member of the BRICS starting January 2024," Milei said in a letter sent to member states of BRICS, according to a number of reports in Argentina's national media quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Saturday, December 30.

He stressed that leaving BRICS does not mean trade will not be carried out with member states. He also stressed that the relationship will continue.

Argentina has officially started the membership process during the term of former President Alberto Fernandez's term.

Milei said there would be significant changes in foreign policy, and instructed termination of diplomatic relations with "dictatorship" in Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua.

It was also reported that Argentina will not maintain their embassy in these countries during Milei's term of office, and implement the decision during his term of office.

During his election campaign, Milei expressed his intention to shift trade to the UN axis and Israel, which aims to develop closer ties with these countries in various aspects.

The BRICS group covers more than 40 percent of the world's population and more than 30 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP).