US Ambassador Sparks Firestorm After Telling Greek Minister Washington Can Topple Any Government

US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle has set off a firestorm of diplomatic controversy over unusually blunt remarks centered on Greece’s government and US policy. It also raised questions of US covert ‘influence operations’ and regime change activities.

The words issued by the former Fox News host were picked up by The Wall Street Journal, which described that the alleged remark was made during a March dinner in Athens. Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou was said to be at the gathering, which quickly became tense.

A discussion ensued over the impending collapse of Romania’s government. Guilfoyle pronounced that the United States had a role in influencing the crisis. She reportedly then said, “We can do that to any country we want. We can do that here.”

Her indicating that it could be done “here” was of course a reference to Greece itself, and the account is presented as her boasting to a top government minister’s face that Washington can change governments whenever it wants.

Here is the fuller context in which the WSJ report presents it:

Some Greek officials say they are happy their country, often overlooked in Washington, has the attention of an ambassador who can easily reach the U.S. president. 

They are also fearful of getting on her bad side. In March, at a dinner in Athens attended by Greek and U.S. officials, Guilfoyle got into an argument with Greece’s energy minister, Stavros Papastavrou, in front of the other guests. Referring to the impending collapse of the Romanian government, Guilfoyle told the group, “We can do that to any country we want. We can do that here,” according to a person who attended the dinner and others who were told about it. The conversation became heated, with Papastavrou retorting that the U.S. couldn’t replace the government of Greece, which was elected by the people. Guilfoyle’s lawyer disputed the characterization of the exchange.

Greek opposition parties have seized on the exchange, after which Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis sought to downplay and deny, saying the issue of changing the government “was never raised” and that it would not be tolerated if so.

But the opposition is seeking to keep the pressure up in search of answers:

“Three days after the Wall Street Journal article the Greek government has so far, beyond vague references, declined to deny or confirm the allegations made,” Harry Tzimitras, head of foreign affairs for the left-wing Elas party, told POLITICO on Tuesday. “It is a very serious issue and it must be addressed immediately without delay.”

Guilfoyle as the Trump-appointed top US envoy to Athens has also of late come under scrutiny for pushing US energy sales across Southeastern Europe, especially focused on American liquefied natural gas.

We earlier reviewed how in the four and a half years since Russia invaded Ukraine, when there happens to be important national elections – particularly those in Romania, Moldova, Hungary, Poland, and Germany – then suddenly certain domestic political parties get demonized as “pro-Putin” and “security threats” to the rest of Europe.

The alleged March remarks have also naturally sparked tensions between the US and Romania. A State Department statement issued in the wake of the reporting reads: “The United States values its strategic partnership with Romania, which remains strong across our shared priorities, including energy security and defense burden shifting.”