The International Conference on Drug Control will bring together delegations from over 180 countries in Buenos Aires, in a new show of support from the US for Javier Milei's administration
The Argentina has positioned itself at the top of the global security agenda by assuming the co-organization of the 40th edition of the prestigious International Conference on Drug Control (IDEC).
This event represents one of the most important global forums in the fight against drug trafficking and has historically been led by the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States (DEA).
Terry Cole
This distinction marks a milestone for Javier Milei's administration, consolidating the strategic alignment with the U.S. administration of Donald Trump.
From the Casa Rosada, they celebrated this political event enthusiastically, calling it an outstanding achievement in the reconstruction of national prestige. Administration sources proudly stated: “It is part of a vote of confidence that responds to what we have been doing and to joint international cooperation”.
The selection of Argentina as co-host is not a coincidence; as explained by the Ministry of Security, “that Argentina has been chosen for the first time as co-organizer of the IDEC is a recognition of the work the country has been doing in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime, and reflects international confidence in Argentina's capabilities to lead security cooperation initiatives”.
The high-security forum will take place next week, from August 18 to 20, in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Under a strict security operation, the event will feature three days of plenary meetings possibly hosted at the Palacio Libertad.
Milei and Trump
A massive and high-level attendance is expected, with delegations from over 180 countries and more than 700 participants, including high-ranking officials under strict confidentiality from the Donald Trump administration.
This level of attendance places the country alongside previous hosts of the caliber of Greece and Colombia, who organized the forum under severe secrecy.
Regarding the nature of these sessions, authorized sources summarized that “they are working days, for the exchange of information in the area where Argentina and the United States are co-hosts”.
The current Minister of Security, Alejandra Monteoliva, leads the general coordination of the forum on behalf of the Executive Branch and will be responsible for extending invitations to the other Cabinet members.
For his part, President Javier Milei, whose alignment with the Republican administration is absolute in order to consolidate himself as the key interlocutor of Trump in the region, has not yet confirmed his in-person attendance due to commitments on his international agenda.
The genesis of this historic joint alliance began under the leadership of former Minister Patricia Bullrich at the Ministry of Security.
In November 2025, Bullrich held a key strategic meeting with an elite delegation from the DEA, including Michael Cabral (head of the Southern Cone Division), Thomas Miles (agency attaché in Argentina), and advisor Guillermo González, during which the commitment was sealed for the country to be the co-organizer of this fortieth conference.
DEA
This firm step not only allows the country to enhance operational cooperation and intelligence matters, but also to relentlessly strengthen the fight against transnational organized crime and terrorism financing.
This strong geopolitical articulation is complemented by Argentina's adherence, decided by Javier Milei in March of this year, to the Shield of the Americas initiative proposed by Trump.
This program aims to neutralize drug trafficking and the concerning advance of China in the hemisphere through a firm diplomatic action combined with a strategic military agreement signed by the Pentagon.
Finally, the concrete results strongly support the firm course adopted. The Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the DEA formally recognized the successful results of the joint work during 2025, a period in which security forces coordinated with Argentina confiscated more than 1,260 kilos of cocaine, 12,900 MDMA pills, 1,257 sheets of LSD, and 250 grams of amphetamines, culminating in the arrest of 35 drug traffickers.
