The Security Minister held meetings in Washington to reinforce bilateral cooperation and accelerate Argentina's return to the visa waiver program.
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The Minister of Security, Alejandra Monteoliva, held important working meetings in the United States with senior officials of the Donald Trump administration, within the framework of an agenda aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in security, the fight against drug trafficking, organized crime and regional stability.
During her visit to Washington, Monteoliva was greeted by Markwayne Mullin, the new secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the official in charge of the Visa Waiver Program, known as the Visa Waiver. As explained by the minister, Argentina is making progress in the process to re-enter the program.
The Visa Waiver allows citizens of certain countries to enter the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without the need to apply for a visa.
Argentina was part of the program since 1996, during the governments of Carlos Menem and Bill Clinton, but was excluded in 2002, after the economic and institutional crisis that the country experienced
.
Monteoliva pointed out that the process involves the entire Government and requires carrying out a series of technical, migratory and administrative steps on both the Argentine and US sides. In the Government, they are optimistic and consider that progress in this area represents a concrete sign of the new international alignment promoted by Javier
Milei.
The minister also met with Allison Hooker, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, with whom she spoke about regional security, the fight against transnational criminal organizations, drug trafficking, illegal immigration and critical infrastructure. Hooker then highlighted the growing cooperation between the United States and Argentina to face common threats in the hemisphere
. The Minister of Security, Alejandra Monteoliva after the meeting with Allison Hooker.
Monteoliva's agenda also included issues related to mining, gas, oil and the protection of natural resources, areas in which it seeks to deepen North American technical assistance and training through the Ministry of Security. This is a key strategic line for a country that needs to protect sensitive sectors of its economy against the advance of organized crime and transnational networks
.
The trip takes place in a context of strong political rapprochement between Javier Milei and Donald Trump. This relationship, according to Monteoliva herself, accelerates cooperation between the two countries and allows for more fluent progress in areas where improvisation, ideological isolation or the lack of a serious foreign policy predominated for years
