CALF, a cooperative in Neuquén, Argentina, reported that the US Embassy threatened to revoke the visas of its board members if they proceeded with a data center agreement with Chinese company Huawei. This alleged pressure was communicated via WhatsApp messages to a CALF executive from Andrew Dilts, the economic attaché at the US Embassy. The messages referenced a US policy of restricting visas for those expanding Huawei's operations and inquired if the project could be canceled.
CALF formally requested clarification from the US Embassy regarding the official nature and scope of these communications and any technical objections to the Huawei deal but received no response. Consequently, the cooperative sent a letter to Argentina's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asking for intervention. Clarín reported that the US Ambassador, Peter Lamelas, framed the Huawei agreement as a "national security" issue for Washington, stating that individuals and entities undermining US security would lose the privilege of entering the United States.
The cooperative emphasized that its communication networks are not exclusively Chinese and incorporate diverse technologies, including systems from APC, Eaton, MikroTik, and ABB. They stated their selection criteria were based on providing the best service, price, and financing for Neuquén users. CALF also noted that Huawei's technology is widely used across Argentina's telecommunications and energy infrastructure, including by major national operators, and questioned why similar communications had not been directed at these other entities. The controversy led to a local politician, Cielubi Obreque, presenting a declaration in the Neuquén legislature expressing "repudiation, rejection, and concern" over the perceived US pressure.
