Embassy of the United Kingdom, Buenos Aires

Last updated
Embassy of the United Kingdom, Buenos Aires ID 314 Embajada del Reino Unido 5454.jpg
Embassy of the United Kingdom, Buenos Aires
Location Flag of Argentina.svg Buenos Aires, Argentina
AddressDr Luis Agote 2412 (C1425EOF),
Buenos Aires,
Argentina [1]
Ambassador Kirsty Hayes
Website British Embassy, Buenos Aires

The Embassy of the United Kingdom in Buenos Aires is the chief diplomatic mission of the United Kingdom in Argentina. The Embassy also represents the British Overseas Territories in Argentina.

Contents

It is located on Dr Luís Agote street in the Recoleta neighbourhood. [1] The current British Ambassador to Argentina is Kirsty Hayes. [2]

There were previously British Consulates in the cities of Rosario, La Plata, Bahia Blanca, Santa Fe and Mendoza. [3]

Due to the turbulent nature of Argentina–United Kingdom relations, the Embassy has frequently been the site of protests against the actions of the UK government, particularly over the Falkland Islands, over which Argentina claims sovereignty. [4]

History

The British government acquired the building for use as an embassy in 1945, which had been built in 1917 as the residence of Carlos Madero, in an Edwardian style. [5]

A modern addition to the British Embassy Escalera y anexo embajada britanica Buenos Aires.JPG
A modern addition to the British Embassy
In front of the Embassy In front of the British Embassy, Buenos Aires (6476012727).jpg
In front of the Embassy
Embassy building Embajada del Reino Unido de Gran Bretana e Irlanda del Norte 1..JPG
Embassy building

Between 1982 and 1990, following the Falklands War, there were no diplomatic relations between the UK and Argentina. [6] Switzerland became the protecting power for the UK in Argentina, taking over responsibility not only for the former Embassy but two Consulates-General. [7]

The former British Embassy building remained open, but was known as the British Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy in Buenos Aires and was staffed by Anglo Argentines. [8] However, a small number of senior British diplomats remained. [9]

The former Argentine Embassy in London came under the Brazilian flag during the same period. [10]

Under the arrangement, the two Interests Sections were unable to have direct communications with their home governments, instead being required to communicate through their embassies of the protecting power, for example, the British Embassy in Bern, Switzerland. [11]

Similarly, until 1989, the diplomats were unable to have direct contacts with their respective foreign ministries, instead having to go through the Swiss and Brazilian embassies. [12]

The residence was visited by various members of the royal family, such as Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Harry. Lady Di and Richard Branson spent their stays in the city at the residence.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of Argentina</span> Overview of the foreign relations of Argentina

This article deals with the diplomatic affairs, foreign policy and international relations of the Argentine Republic. At the political level, these matters are handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also known as the Cancillería, which answers to the President. The current Minister of Foreign Affairs, since September 2021, is Chancellor Santiago Cafiero.

Sovereignty over the Falkland Islands is disputed by Argentina and the United Kingdom. The British claim to sovereignty dates from 1690, when they made the first recorded landing on the islands, and the United Kingdom has exercised de facto sovereignty over the archipelago almost continuously since 1833. Argentina has long disputed this claim, having been in control of the islands for a few years prior to 1833. The dispute escalated in 1982, when Argentina invaded the islands, precipitating the Falklands War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argentina–Australia relations</span> Bilateral relations

Bilateral relations between Argentina and Australia have existed for years. Both nations are members of the Cairns Group, Forum of East Asia–Latin America Cooperation, G20 and World Trade Organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argentina–South Africa relations</span> Bilateral relations

The current and historical relations between the Argentine Republic and the Republic of South Africa, for over a century. Both nations are members of the Cairns Group, G20, Group of 77 and the United Nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argentina–United Kingdom relations</span> Bilateral relations

Foreign relations between the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have existed for over a century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argentina–Switzerland relations</span> Bilateral relations

Foreign relations between Argentina and Switzerland, have existed for over a century. Diplomatic relations were established in 1834, with the opening of a Swiss consulate in Buenos Aires, followed in 1891 by the opening of an embassy. Argentina has an embassy in Bern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argentina–Indonesia relations</span> Bilateral relations

Argentina and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1956. Since then, bilateral relations between both countries have become increasingly more strategic. According to Argentine Ambassador to Indonesian Javier A. Sanz de Urquiza, Indonesia has been a "true friend of Argentina" over the Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute. Argentina has an embassy in Jakarta, while Indonesia has an embassy in Buenos Aires. Both countries say they share the same values regarding the international order, and the same aspiration to defend the developing nations' interest in international forum. Both countries are members of Group of 77, the G-20 major economies, the G20 developing nations, and Forum of East Asia-Latin America Cooperation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argentina–New Zealand relations</span> Bilateral relations

Diplomatic relations between Argentina and New Zealand, have existed for decades. Both nations are mutual members of the Cairns Group and the United Nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argentina–Israel relations</span> Bilateral relations

International relations between Argentina and Israel, have existed for decades. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 May 1949.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brazil–United Kingdom relations</span> Bilateral relations

Brazil–United Kingdom relations are the diplomatic relations between Brazil and the United Kingdom. Both nations are members of the G20, United Nations and the World Trade Organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia–Paraguay relations</span> Bilateral relations

Bilateral relations exist between Australia and Paraguay. Diplomatic relations were established in 1974. Paraguay has an embassy in Canberra whilst Australia has a non resident ambassador in Buenos Aires. Both countries are members of the Cairns Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of the Philippines, Buenos Aires</span> Diplomatic mission of the Philippines in Argentina

The Embassy of the Philippines in Buenos Aires is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the Argentine Republic. First opened in 1949 as the first Philippine diplomatic mission in Latin America, it is currently located in the barrio of Palermo in northern Buenos Aires, near its Chinatown.

References

  1. 1 2 Reino Unido de Gran Bretaña e Irlanda del Norte, Embajada en la República Argentina, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, Argentina
  2. The new British Ambassador to Argentina presented her credentials, British Embassy Buenos Aires, 23 September 2021
  3. Manufacturers, Bankers and Exporters Manual, the ABC of British Exports, Littlebury & Company, 1946, page 227
  4. "Falklands Island protest outside British embassy in Argentina". telegraph.co.uk. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  5. La embajada inglesa en un entorno privilegiado, La Nación , 11 February 2001
  6. Sources of Friction, Malcolm Deas in Britain and Latin America: A Changing Relationship Victor Bulmer-Thomas, Royal Institute of International Affairs, Cambridge University Press, 1989, page 156
  7. Swiss Foreign Policy, 1945-2002, J. Gabriel, T. Fischer, Springer, 2003, page 79
  8. Fodor's South America, 1987, Fodor's Travel Guides, 1986, page 65
  9. The Official History of the Falklands Campaign, Volume 2: War and Diplomacy, Lawrence Freedman, Routledge, 2004, page 93
  10. Argentina and Britain Move To Restore Diplomatic Ties, The New York Times , September 1, 1989
  11. UKE Bern to FCO (reports from British Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy in Buenos Aires), PDF
  12. Britain, Argentina OK Steps to Normalize Ties : 7 Years After War, Both Sides Agree to Set Aside Touchy Issue of Sovereignty Over the Falklands, Los Angeles Times , 19 August 1989

34°35′06″S58°23′46″W / 34.5850°S 58.3961°W / -34.5850; -58.3961