In a historic decision, President Javier Milei appointed Lieutenant General Carlos Alberto Presti, current Chief of the Army General Staff, as the new Minister of Defense, marking an unprecedented shift in the leadership of the Ministry and highlighting the appointment of a career professional to head the department.
According to the official statement, this is "the first time since the return of democracy" that a military officer with an impeccable track record assumes this responsibility, a fact that the Government considers an essential step to "put an end to the demonization of our officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers."
The news comes as part of a cabinet reorganization announced today. The President thanked "the services of Minister Patricia Bullrich and Minister Luis Petri," who will leave their positions on December 10 to begin a new legislative phase, Bullrich in the Senate and Petri in the Chamber of Deputies.
Milei's government detailed that the change seeks to deepen the policies that both ministers have promoted since the beginning of the administration, reinforcing the emphasis on professionalization and firmness in both the Security Forces and the Armed Forces.
In this context, the current Secretary of Security, Alejandra Monteoliva, will take over the National Security Ministry. According to the statement, Monteoliva "has been a key element of the 'Bullrich Doctrine,' which establishes as a priority the frontal fight against narco-terrorism and criminal organizations, and the maintenance of the rule of law and order in the streets of the Argentine Republic."
