Condoleezza Rice to avoid Argentina during South American trip

Notably absent from Rice's previously scheduled visit to Brazil and Chile, however, will be Argentina, where the first elected female president in the country's history, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, was inaugurated in December. The omission underscores Washington's angst with the new Kirchner government, which has continued to strengthen ties with Chávez while accusing the United States of political motives in an investigation into an alleged $800,000 secret campaign contribution from Venezuela to Kirchner. 'The United States is clearly snubbing Argentina,' said Peter Hakim, president of the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington. 'They are unhappy with Argentina in ways that continue with this new president.'