Julio Martinez and Oscar AguadFormer defense ministers in Mauricio Macri’s government today endorsed the appointment of Carlos Presti and agreed that he must request his retirement from the Armed Forces before assuming the position of portfolio holder in the executive branch. He was assigned to the position of Chief of the General Staff of the Army in January 2024 by presidential decree. He was then promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in 2021 and held this position until his appointment.
As Martinez explained in radio statements, a military arrived at the ministry It does not represent a danger To the institution: “After More than 40 years of democracyHe added: “We have unified the armed forces, under civilian control and subject to political authority, laws, the constitution and popular will.” In addition, he rejected the criticism directed at the Presti family and confirmed this It is appointed on its own merits..
At the same time, he stressed the importance Regulating the professional life of military personnel in political positions With a case from his department: “When I arrived at the ministry, there was a completely unusual case, that of Sergio Berni. He was a senator, he held several positions and he was still under the flag in the army. We retired him. This is not normal.”
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The radical former minister stressed that Presti belonged to a generation of soldiers who were fully trained in democracy: “When the military coup happened in 1976, I was 10 years old. When democracy returned in 1983, he was 17 years old. It, like all current armed forces, He did not participate in the dictatorship “He was not complicit in any action.”
Regarding questions about past to their relativesMartinez asked for caution, noting that his father, Carlos Roque, was commander of the 7th Infantry Regiment in La Plata during the military operation, but warned that judging someone because he “has a family name” is unfair. “The last name was judged by the Nazis as well as by KirchnerismHe pointed out that this deprived the infallible soldiers of promotion because they had a family member linked to the dictatorship.
Martínez also highlighted Presti’s impeccable career and suggested that, upon assuming office, he should deal with emergencies of the Armed Forces, such as the status of the Institute of Social Action for the Armed Forces and Security Forces (IOSFA) and the modernization of weapons: “Having sufficient hypersonic aircraft, missiles, radars and drones is essential.”
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Finally, the former minister warned of the risks that future governments may face in appointing military personnel compatible with their ideology. “These risks are always present. The Minister is within reach of the decree If it deviates they can remove it in a minuteHe concluded: “If there is no other mechanism for that.”
Oscar Ajawad described the appointment as “bold.”
Oscar Aguade, also a former Minister of Defense during the Government of Mauricio MacriHe described President Javier Miley’s decision to appoint Chief of the Army General Staff Carlos Presti as head of the defense portfolio as a “bold action.” “It is a big surprise,” Ajwad noted, wondering if “Breaking this rule is beneficial for the country“.
As stated in Radio Rivadavia Yesterday, there were clear differences between defense policy And management of the military apparatus: “Defense policy is one thing and management of the military apparatus is another thing, and they are two different roles. How can they be confused in one person? I do not know.” He also noted that Presti, as a lieutenant general, maintains the highest hierarchy within the armed forces, which It could dilute the role of commander-in-chief.
Aghouad stressed that defense policy is political and expressed his disagreement with a military man assuming the portfolio, so he proposed updating the defense law currently in effect since 2016. Government of Raúl Alfonsín. “Without long-term policies, there is no opportunity for the country to progress, develop and improve the state of the nation. The ideological difference between presidents has delayed these policies. If every government changes its strategy, we will be eliminated,” he said.
Bullrich and Petrie have already chosen their future successors
Regarding the impact that Presti’s appointment could have on the Navy and Air Forces, he considered that there would be no problem, as long as they were implemented. Fair policies for every powerHe pointed out that “defense policies affect equipment, but it is necessary to have a broad and coordinated vision.” He warned that there was confusion in the roles between internal and external security, citing as an example the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking: “All of this requires new legislation that avoids confusion and confusion.” Allows clear operation of troops“, he concluded.
Luis Petrie described Carlos Presti’s appointment as a “success” and highlighted a paradigm shift in defence
The National Libertarian Representative of Mendoza Province celebrated today Appointment of Carlos Alberto Presti As the next Secretary of Defense, a position he will officially assume on December 10: “There is a paradigm shift and we are proud of the present and the past of our Armed Forces. The President’s decision seems more than right and correct.” In line with troop supportPetrie stated before being sworn in as lawmaker.
It also explained Presti’s arrival at the Ministry It represents a shift in defense policyDeviating from the strategy applied between 2003 and 2023, which focused on judging the crimes of the dictatorship, reviewing military actions, and building a state narrative based on memory, truth, and justice. “In December We also broke with traditionAssigning civilians to the Ministry of Military Affairs. He appointed Claudio Pasqualini as commander of the army, then Colonel Rosa Garay. “This is going in the same direction,” he stressed, making sure that Presti “It will have a successful management“.
The government confirmed that for the first time since the return of democracy, a person with full military experience and reaching the highest rank will head the ministry in charge of national defence. there, Appointment of Alejandra Monteoleva As Minister of Security, succeeding Senator Patricia Bullrich.
Immediately afterwards, Petrie publicly congratulated the new minister, saying: “It is comforting to know that our former army chief will now continue as the future Minister of Defence.” He added: “I know he will have it Distinguished and successful management Because, as part of the team that accompanied me, I know first-hand their ability, commitment and loyalty to the country.
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