In an event filled with symbolism and political precision, Security Minister Patricia Bullrich presented the National Counterterrorism Center (CNA) this Tuesday, October 7, an initiative that promises to mark a turning point in Argentina's security policy. The announcement took place on the second anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, a date intentionally chosen to send a clear message: " Argentina will not remain defenseless in the face of terrorist threats," the minister stated.
Bullrich, who is also a senatorial candidate for La Libertad Avanza, explained that the new agency "comes to close a historic gap" in coordination among state agencies. The CNA will have the mission of centralizing prevention, detection, and response to extremist threats, with special attention to groups such as Islamic State, Hamas, Al Qaeda, and Hezbollah, the latter linked to the attacks on the Israeli Embassy (1992) and AMIA (1994).
El gobierno de Javier Milei anunció el Centro Nacional Antiterrorista
The National Counterterrorism Center will report directly to the State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE), while the Ministry of Security will be responsible for activating protocols and coordinating the actions of the federal forces. In addition, the ministries of Defense, Economy, Interior, and Justice will be part of the agency, along with the Foreign Ministry, the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF), the National Directorate of Criminal Intelligence, the Customs Control Agency, and the National Directorate of Migration.
Bullrich emphasized: "Terrorism is not fought with improvisation, but with intelligence, cooperation, and planning." With this initiative, Argentina becomes the first country in Latin America to implement a comprehensive policy of these characteristics, combining security, intelligence, and diplomacy in a single operational framework.
El gobierno de Javier Milei anunció el Centro Nacional Antiterrorista
One of the most striking aspects of the new center will be the implementation of a "red phone," an early warning system to coordinate immediate responses to possible attacks. "When a threat appears, there will be a 'red phone.' An immediate, integrated response, with real operational capacity anywhere in the country," the minister detailed.
The decree creating the CNA bases the measure on Argentina's role as a defender of the republican values of Western democracies, highlighting the need to "have the appropriate means to confront threats from international and transnational terrorist organizations."
El gobierno de Javier Milei anunció el Centro Nacional Antiterrorista
President Javier Milei, a staunch ally of Israel and an international reference for freedom, fully supported the creation of the CNA. In his speech at the Movistar Arena, the president warned about the global context: "Terrorist threats have increased and the operational capacity of radicalized groups has expanded due to their links with transnational criminal networks."
Accompanied by the Secretary of Security, Alejandra Monteoliva, the head of SIDE, Sergio DaríoNeiffert, and the Undersecretary for the Fight against Drug Trafficking, Ignacio Ernesto Cichello, Bullrich presented the measure as "a state policy to guarantee a free, safe, and prepared Argentina."
"SIDE will be the strategic head and the Ministry of Security, the operational arm. From this center, protocols will be issued, alerts will be activated, and forces will be coordinated throughout the national territory," the official explained.
The structure of the CNA, supported by SIDE, the UIF, and the ministries of Security and Defense—the latter headed by Luis Petri—represents an unprecedented model of coordination in the country and a new standard in continental security.
