Argentina’s ultra-liberal leader Javier Millay today welcomed US foreign policy chief Anthony Blinken, the highest-ranking US official to visit Argentina since Milley took office in December, promising “shock therapy” to stabilize its faltering economy country.

Asked at the start of his meeting at the Casa Rosada presidential palace what his message was to the US, Millay replied that “Argentina has decided to return to the side of the West, to the side of progress, democracy and above all freedom” .

During a press conference later, the US secretary of state said that Washington sees “tremendous” investment opportunities in Argentina and wants US businesses to remain Argentina’s partners of choice.

Blinken also discussed the war in Gaza and the challenges in Venezuela and Haiti during his visit, he added.

Javier Millay has taken a strong pro-US stance, although he is ideologically more closely aligned with former US President Donald Trump, Joe Biden’s main rival in the presidential election later this year.

Ahead of the visit, Deputy Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere Brian Nichols praised Miley for speaking out in favor of democracy and human rights, including on Venezuela.

The Argentine leader is scheduled to address the annual Conservative Political Action Conference this weekend in Washington, where Trump is also scheduled to appear.