US ambassador summoned to Argentina's Congress over alleged threats to energy cooperative

The United States Ambassador to Argentina, Peter Lamelas, faces a summons to the Chamber of Deputies over allegations that the U.S. Embassy threatened a local energy cooperative. Authorities from the Provincial Cooperative of Public and Community Services of Neuquén Limitada (CALF) reported that embassy representatives warned them against hiring China's Huawei to install a data center in the strategic Vaca Muerta region.

CALF's general secretary, Yenny Fonfach, described the alleged actions as an "interference" in the cooperative's autonomy. The cooperative has formally requested intervention from Argentina's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The invitation to Ambassador Lamelas is scheduled for Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the Chamber's Commission on Cooperatives, Mutuals, and Non-Governmental Organizations.

During a recent energy event, Ambassador Lamelas stated that Chinese companies are controlled by the Chinese Communist Party and that their technology could compromise data security, potentially deterring foreign investors in Vaca Muerta. Huawei, however, responded by emphasizing its status as a "100% private company" operating in full compliance with local laws since 2001.

Following a meeting between Ambassador Lamelas and CALF President Marcelo Severini, both parties committed to maintaining dialogue, with the diplomat highlighting the importance of data security. This dispute unfolds against a backdrop of significant geopolitical considerations, with CALF asserting its right to make technical and economic decisions for its expansion, noting its use of a multi-vendor network including U.S., Brazilian, European, and Asian equipment.