Mac Margolis, Columnist

Argentina's New President Won't Be Venezuela's Friend

He calls into question Caracas's claim on democracy.

Democracy, triumphant.

Photographer: Mario Tama/Getty Images
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Fresh off a bruising campaign that toppled a political dynasty and split Argentina in two, incoming president Mauricio Macri was blunt at a Monday news conference. "If I said I'd do it, we'll do it," he declared when asked if he planned to make good on his campaign promise to bring Venezuela's autocratic regime to task for violating human rights and trampling democracy.

Macri vowed that he'd press neighbors and allies to question Venezuela's claim to be a democracy. "It's clear that what's happening in Venezuela has nothing to do with the democratic commitments that we have pledged to keep in Argentina," he said.