U.S. Ambassador Judd Declares Commitment to Assertive Diplomacy Amidst Chile’s Warnings

Original article: “Voy a seguir haciéndolo”: Judd insiste en intervenir mientras Cancillería repite advertencias sin resultados

«I will continue to do it,» stated the U.S. ambassador to Chile, Brandon Judd, who made it clear that he does not intend to moderate his public interventions regarding Chilean internal politics, as the Foreign Ministry repeats warnings without yielding results.

The Washington representative reiterated his stance in an interview published this Sunday in La Tercera, where he openly defended his diplomatic style and cautioned that he will persist in such behaviors whenever he believes the interests of his country are at stake. «Diplomacy for the United States is no longer what it used to be. U.S. diplomacy is based on achievements (…) I will continue to be a different kind of ambassador,» Judd asserted, adding that «it is important for me to respond when certain things are said. And I will continue to do it.»

The ambassador’s stance directly contrasts with the position presented by Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna, who outlined in an interview with El Mercurio on the same Sunday that the government has made clear to the U.S. representative, “on several occasions”, that there is a principle of non-intervention for ambassadors in internal affairs.

«Chile deserves respect,» stated the chancellor, who, when asked about why Judd has not heeded these warnings, replied that «what we need to do is call him to avoid such expressions.»

Pérez Mackenna, for now, ruled out escalating the conflict through a protest note or any other more severe measure: «What we have done is call him to this Ministry, he has come, and we have communicated our position. We want to see him avoid those interventions.»

For his part, Ambassador Judd downplayed the political cost of his remarks. «If people are upset by my responses, that’s their problem,» he stated, while assuring that he has not violated either Chilean law or the Vienna Convention and that he will do «whatever it takes» to defend U.S. interests.

«Whenever I consider it necessary, I will use all the resources I have,» he asserted, as reported by Mostrador.

Monroe Doctrine and Shield of the Americas

This exchange of statements follows a series of interventionist and controversial remarks made by the U.S. government representative, which have caused discomfort within La Moneda.

Judd criticized the statements made by the ministers of Agriculture, Jaime Campos, and Defense, Fernando Barros, regarding the 12.5% tariffs imposed by Washington on Chile. Furthermore, during his participation in the far-right summit, the Madrid Forum, held in Santiago, he claimed that Chile applies the so-called «Monroe Doctrine» and that under the administration of José Antonio Kast, this policy «becomes very easy» to implement.

The diplomat prompted a summons to the Foreign Ministry after stating in an interview with CNN Chile that U.S. intelligence categorically attributed the development of the social uprising that began on October 18, 2019, to leftist organizations.

«In 2019, what our intelligence says is categorically that it came from leftist organizations or those of leftist ideology,» he asserted, though he later retracted the claim, stating that his country did not investigate the events and that his analysis was based on information generated in Chile.

Differences in opinion are also evident regarding the Shield of the Americas proposed by the Trump administration, as while the chancellor assured that there is no U.S. pressure and that Chile will evaluate any participation «on its merits,» Ambassador Judd remains firm that regional cooperation against organized crime is required, while qualifying that it will be up to Chile to decide how far it wishes to participate.

Tensions also arise on other fronts. Pérez Mackenna championed a «pragmatic» foreign policy and summarized his position towards major powers as: «We are neither anti-China nor anti-United States, we are pro-Chile.» Judd, on his part, again warned about the Chinese presence and maintained that a potential submarine cable controlled by Beijing could compromise Chile’s sovereignty and intelligence-sharing with Washington.

*Featured image: Mediabanco.

«If people are upset by my responses, that’s their problem,» said the Washington representative in our country, despite the Foreign Ministry indicating to him «on several occasions» that there is a principle of non-intervention for ambassadors in internal affairs.