Susana Ruiz Cerutti

Susana Myrta Ruiz Cerutti (18 November 1940 – 24 June 2024) was an Argentine lawyer, diplomat, and politician, who occupied the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship (canciller) during the presidency of Raúl Alfonsín, from 26 May to 8 July 1989. This made her the first woman in Argentina's history to reach the post of foreign minister. She had previously served as deputy foreign minister from 1987 to 1989, when she became foreign minister and later held other positions in that Ministry. During her diplomatic career, she was also Argentine ambassador to Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Canada.

Education and early career Having graduated in law from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Ruiz Cerutti practised her profession until her entry to the Instituto del Servicio Exterior de la Nación, from which she graduated in 1968 with a gold medal and Honours diploma. She also headed the Argentinian delegation in negotiations with Chile over boundary issues stemming from the Laguna del Desierto incident.

After serving as legal advisor to Argentina's Foreign Ministry, in 1987, she was appointed Secretary of State (vicanciller – "vicechancellor", Deputy Foreign Minister). In May 1989, she was appointed by President Raúl Alfonsín, as Foreign Minister (canciller – "chancellor"), in place of Dante Caputo. She held that position for 6 weeks, until the inauguration of President Carlos Menem, who appointed Domingo Cavallo as her successor on 9 July.

She was the candidate favoured by the United Nations Security Council in November 2014 to take a place as judge at the International Court of Justice, but the General Assembly's choice of Patrick Lipton Robinson prevailed in the final vote.

Personal life Ruiz Cerutti was born on 18 November 1940. She died in Buenos Aires on 24 June 2024, at the age of 83.

Awards and recognition For her work resolving the "Laguna del Desierto" boundary dispute with Chile, Ruiz Cerutti was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (1985), and the Order of St. Gregory the Great (1996) from Pope John Paul II. Grand Cross of the Order of Río Branco of Brazil (1989)