This Friday, President Javier Milei sworn in Army General Carlos Presti as Defense Minister, replacing Luis Petri, who took over as national deputy.
Presti’s appointment breaks with an Argentine tradition since the return of democracy: that the portfolio cannot be filled by a military officer.
Presti’s arrival at the Defense Department comes amid a severe pay crisis and numerous layoffs, PERFIL reported in its November 30 edition.
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As of the end of August this year, 1,128 officers had requested leave, according to a public information request by this media outlet. However, the last situation report from Guillermo Francos from September speaks of a loss of 840 officers and 2,389 non-commissioned officers.
The losses are nothing but a product of the severe salary arrears that the armed forces are going through.
According to public information accessed by this media, a lieutenant general, admiral or brigadier general (the highest ranks) received a gross salary of $2,809,917.00 in November, to which deductions must be made.
At the other end of the chain of command, a 2nd Volunteer or 2nd Sailor earned $610,510.00 gross in the past month, which is also subject to discounts.
Presti arrives one after the other without having left his military rank. Whatever caused noise was provided. Presti’s promotion to the leadership of the defense department in turn forced the replacement of a large part of the armed forces leadership. In his place, only Gutavo Valverde from the Air Force remained.
At the same time, the replacement of Petri from Mendoza by the former head of the Argentine Army would not have been possible without the support of the General Secretariat of the Presidency, Karina Milei, who focused her attention on the region.
The defense sector is of central importance because of its connection to the USA and because it also manages important state-owned companies such as Fabricaciones Militares or Fadea. The latter had problems with operations this year.
Petri’s defense management also had problems with the social work of military personnel, the Iosfa. According to affiliates, it is actually deficit coverage, and the monthly deficit is $6.5 billion.
Presti’s inauguration also comes amid a wave of rumors suggesting that President Milei could travel to England between April and May 2026, which becomes sensitive due to Argentina’s historic claim of British usurpation of the Malvinas Islands. There was even speculation about Argentina purchasing weapons following its acquisition of the F16.
Presti was sworn in this Friday in the White Room of the Casa Rosada in an express ceremony in which the defense chief was accompanied by government officials, family, friends and members of the armed forces.
The new official has had a signature in the portfolio since Thursday 11, but this Friday he was authorized to make any changes he considers relevant.
His appointment was met with opposition from part of the opposition and even criticism within the force, which called for his resignation. However, Presti himself announced that he would take a leave of absence to take up his position in the executive branch.
He is a professional soldier with operational experience. He trained at the National Military College, graduating in 1987 as an infantry lieutenant and holding positions as commander of the IV Airborne Brigade, chief of the 601st Air Assault Regiment and director of the Military College.
He also held key roles in international missions as chief of the Argentine Peace Battalion in Haiti and had diplomatic experience as a defense attaché in several Central American embassies.
At the end of 2023, he was appointed Chief of the Army General Staff by decree, replacing 22 senior officers who had retired.
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