US Ambassador's Warning at AmCham Energy Forum
On August 13, 2026, during the AmCham Energy Forum in Buenos Aires, US Ambassador Peter Lamelas issued a stark warning: the use of Chinese technology in networks linked to strategic sectors "will not help" attract foreign investment to Argentina. According to Lamelas, "energy data security is a matter of national security", directly targeting Huawei, the Chinese tech giant.
The ambassador argued that "China requires its companies to give their State access to any data passing through their technology and AI networks", and that this "is not acceptable" nor does it help attract investors to Vaca Muerta. This statement reflects Washington's growing concern about the infrastructure surrounding Argentina's main energy project, which has become not just an oil promise but a geopolitical, digital, and security asset.
The CALF and Huawei Case
The most immediate conflict occurred in Neuquén province, where the electric cooperative CALF advanced negotiations with Huawei to acquire equipment. The US Embassy sent a communication warning it could restrict or revoke visas for executives who expanded Huawei operations in Argentina. CALF interpreted the message as a threat and made it public.
CALF Vice President Carlos Quintriqueo defended the decision: "We will not set aside a commercial transaction with Huawei, unless a company appears that gives us a better product at a better price". Meanwhile, CALF's Technology Manager Sergio Fernández Novoa revealed that before making the threat public, they wrote to Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno but never received a response.
Chinese Space Station in Neuquén
Another sensitive issue is China's request to incorporate new equipment into the deep space monitoring station operating since 2018 in Bajada del Agrio, Neuquén. The request was referred to the Ministry of Defense due to its potential strategic impact. The Argentine Air Force assessed that there is no evidence of a new antenna, but there is a significant technological upgrade that could improve capabilities such as weak signal reception, Ka-band operation, and high-speed data processing.
The station occupies approximately 200 hectares and features a 35-meter antenna. Argentina retains the right to use 10% of operational time for radio astronomy research. However, operation by the China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control General, linked to China's military structure, fuels suspicions in Washington and among Argentine defense sectors.
The Hidden Interest: The Federal Fiber Optic Network (Refefo)
According to industry sources cited by La Política Online, the real US objective is for Milei's government to hand over control of the Federal Fiber Optic Network (Refefo), operated by Arsat and developed during Cristina Kirchner's presidency. Refefo has 36,500 kilometers of deployed fiber optic cable and 31,500 kilometers illuminated, making it essential infrastructure for 5G deployment.
Milei's government has already announced its intention to privatize Arsat, despite the company being profitable. This scenario is what Washington wants to exploit so a US company can acquire this monumental infrastructure, which would mean a loss of digital sovereignty for Argentina.
China's Response and Argentina's Dilemma
China's embassy called Lamelas' statements "an unfounded slander" and accused the United States of having a "Cold War mentality". Huawei, for its part, issued a statement defending its cybersecurity track record and noting it has operated in Argentina since 2001.
The dilemma for Javier Milei's government is that its political alignment with the United States may clash with market decisions made by companies, cooperatives, or provinces that evaluate Chinese suppliers based on price, financing, or technological availability. The underlying question is who defines security standards and how far the influence of global powers will extend in strategic sectors.
Lamelas closed his message with a forceful phrase: "We are deciding today the future of Vaca Muerta and Argentina. Please, don't miss this opportunity". The competition between the United States and China is no longer distant: it manifests in a Neuquén electric cooperative, a space station, and the infrastructure that must sustain the country's energy growth.
Key Data at a Glance
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | AmCham Energy Forum |
| Date | August 13, 2026 |
| US Ambassador | Peter Lamelas |
| Refefo fiber optic network | 36,500 km deployed / 31,500 km illuminated |
| Space station location | Bajada del Agrio, Neuquén (since 2018) |
| Station size | 200 hectares, 35-meter antenna |
| Huawei operations in Argentina | Since 2001 |
Sources: Ámbito | La Política Online