I'm John Batsch with Professor Avenelus of the U.S. Army War College.

Buenos Aires, Dateline.

Argentina and Colombia said they are moving towards amending frayed diplomatic relations.

In a joint statement published following comments by Argentine President Javier Malay that it offended his leftist

Colombian counterpart. In specific, I believe he used the word terrorist towards

Gustavo the elected president of Colombia.

Once about a time Colombia was considered the U.S.

the strongest ally in all of the Americas.

Argentina long understood to be a troubled nation.

Haver Malay, however, his election was said to be

a change of direction for Argentina and maybe for all of the Americas.

Gustavo Petro numbers among the left of center presidents

elected over these last years.

Javier Malay is neither right of center nor left of center.

He's a libertarian who campaigns with a

chainsaw and he is well outspoken is inadequate. He's colorful. A former TV

presenter he's got style he's also gotvel's haircut. However, Professor, I'm going to go past the old

Understanding that the two need to get along. How does it suit Malay to offend Petro? How does it suit Petro to act offended?

Well John, frankly, with diplomatic circles, this reminds me of wealthy people getting offended at a garden party when much more important things are going on.

But you know, certainly it's important to remember that Malay's entire career before becoming president was very unorthodox.

He was fundamentally a, you know, a talk show, a pundit as well as being a pretty bright economist.

And so, you know, I think Malay's entire career has been driven by saying things that he believes and saying

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