he The government became official According to Decree No. 851 of 2025 published today, Tuesday, in the Official Gazette, departure Patricia Bullrich Subordinate Ministry of Homeland Security To fill a seat in the Senate, and Appointment of Alejandra Monteoleva To replace her in charge of the portfolio. The executive had already announced the change weeks ago, along with the appointment of Carlos Alberto Presti to replace Luis Petri in defence.
Bullrich’s departure has been known since the newspaper La Libertad Avanza (LLA) nominated her months ago as the first female candidate for senator from the city of Buenos Aires. Later, in the elections, the official obtained 50.32% of the votes, compared to 30.63% for Mariano Ricalde, from the Union for the Homeland Party, and denied that her candidacy was merely a certificate. Thus, weeks after the midterm elections, the government announced the change.
“Head of State Javier Maile thanks Minister Patricia Bullrich and Minister Luis Petre for their services, who as of December 10 A new phase will begin “Promoting the ideas of liberation from the Senate and the House of Representatives respectively,” the government expressed in a statement on November 22.
Her place will be filled by Monteoleva, a 55-year-old woman who has dedicated herself to this topic for 30 years and was until her appointment as secretary of that portfolio. The government described it as an essential part of “Bullrich DoctrineHe stated that their priority in the ministry focuses on Combating terrorism and criminal organizationsAs well as “maintaining the rule of law” and order on the streets.
On Sunday, Bullrich officially announced his departure on social media, writing: “I greatly appreciate trust He assigned me to lead a strategic area and support the entire team that accompanied me in every operation. “I will continue to defend with the same conviction the values we share and the reforms the country needs and which you are leading: strong institutions, law and order and a country where good Argentines can live and progress in freedom.”
In turn, the new senator praised Montoleva and identified her as a person capable of continuing her faith: “Her ability, experience, and commitment will be essential to deepening the path we have begun and establishing a firm, serious, and effective security policy.”
Bullrich, who will be leader of the La Libertad Avanza Senate seat, He will be sworn in Friday as a lawmaker It was a short circuit with Victoria VillarroelVice President and President of the Senate. On that occasion, the former minister wanted to file a complaint in the chamber, but the president denied her the floor, which sparked a debate.
In one of her last activities as minister, Bullrich on Monday held a press conference with Chief of Staff Manuel Adorni, and announced that… The new Congress will consider reforming the penal code, which the government will send. As reported by Los Angeles Nacion, the former official stressed that the project’s central focus will be “toughening the punishment” for crimes such as simple murder, whose maximum penalty will rise from 25 years to 30 years in prison with the aim of “protecting those performing essential tasks.” In addition, the penalty will be increased if the killing occurs to children up to 16 years of age and over 65 years of age.
The new minister is He graduated from the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations From the Catholic University of Cordoba, the province where he was born. He also earned a master’s degree in development from the University of Los Andes in Colombia, a country where he lived for 19 years and where he worked, among other organizations, for the local national police.
In Colombia, Monteoleva specialized in security policy management and cooperated with a large part of Latin American and Caribbean countries through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Andean Development Foundation (CAF) and other multilateral organizations.
In 2012 and 2013, she was an official in the Cordoba government in the local security portfolio. And a member of the government of then Governor Jose Manuel de la Sota. Then he moved to the national administration She served as National Director of Security Operations in the previous administration of Minister Bullrich from 2015 to 2019, during the presidency of Mauricio Macri.. Between 2020 and 2024, she was responsible for security operations as a UN advisor to the World Food Programme.