President of Argentina authorized the entry of US troops into his country

Published at: 01/10/2025 11:00 AM

The far-right president of Argentina, Javier Milei, authorized through a Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU), without approval from Congress, the entry of U.S. troops between October 20 and November 15 to carry out military exercises at two naval bases in the province of Buenos Aires (east) and at a third in Ushuaia, in the province of Tierra del Fuego (south).

“Authorize the entry of resources and personnel of the United States (US) Armed Forces to participate in the Trident Exercise to be carried out in Argentine territory,” details Decree 697 published this Tuesday in the Official Gazette.

The maritime and land maneuvers, called "Trident “, will be carried out at three of the six naval bases that the Navy has in the country: the one in Mar del Plata and Puerto Belgrano, both located in the Buenos Aires district, and the one in Ushuaia, in Patagonia (south).

The decree of the current administration also authorizes the departure of Argentine soldiers to participate in maneuvers that will take place between October 6 and 10 in Puerto Varas, Chile, together with the forces of that country, in an exercise called “Solidarity” aimed at cooperation in the face of natural disasters.

The government moved forward with this decree that allows foreign troops to enter without authorization from Congress one day after Milei visited the city of Ushuaia, where he was forced to change his agenda due to various protests from the local population, and hours after having announced a new trip by the president to the United States to meet with the president of that country, Donald Trump.

“Tierra del Fuego or not is a bargaining chip for your electoral purposes,” he warned. “We will not allow it to be used for purposes that violate our rights and our history. We are not going to allow it. We're going to put a stop to it,” he said on social media.

The bilateral meeting between Milei and the US president was announced one week after the last meeting between the two leaders held in parallel to the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UN), in New York City.

The Permanent Bicameral Committee of Congress has 10 days to review the DNU issued by the government, which is already in effect.

Article 75 of the Argentine Constitution makes it mandatory for Congress to authorize the entry of foreign troops into the country or the departure of national forces, a procedure also regulated by Law 25,880, enacted in 2004.

Mazo News Team