Argentina’s G-20 membership should be revoked

When Argentina appears in British public discourse, it is normally in relation to one of the two ‘f’s – football or the Falklands. The behaviour of President Cristina Kirchner’s regime towards the islanders is nothing short of disgraceful, and it is very encouraging to see the British government supporting the islanders in the strongest terms. The Falklands, for obvious reasons, are top of our agenda when it comes to discussion of Argentina, but this issue should not blind us from other major problems affecting this country as a result of Cristina Kirchner’s belligerence.

Kirchner makes no secret of her refusal to play by the same rules as everyone else. Argentina has expropriated the property of European companies; provides a safe haven for drug dealers bringing methamphetamine (crystal meth) to Europe; is developing a strategic relationship with Iran; deliberately falsifies its economic statistics; refuses to abide by international court judgments; and refuses to honour even the most basic laws of contracts and pay its debts to other nations and institutions.