Argentine President Javier Milei, during a business event. Photo: Diario PĂşblico.
The Javier Milei administration officially announced the arrival of US military personnel in Argentina — specifically in the province of Tierra del Fuego — through Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU) 697/2025, published Monday in the Official Gazette with the signatures of the president and his entire Cabinet. The measure authorizes two combined military exercises with the United States and Chile under the Armed Forces’ Annual Combined Exercises Plan.
The first operation, called “Solidarity,” will take place from October 6 to 10 in Puerto Varas, Chile, and will focus on cooperation in response to natural disasters, based on the bilateral Cooperation Agreement signed in 1997. The DNU authorizes the deployment of Argentine military personnel and resources between October 5 and 11.
The second exercise, dubbed “Trident,” will take place in Argentina from October 20 to November 15, centered on the naval bases of Mar del Plata, Ushuaia, and Puerto Belgrano. It will include combined naval defense and humanitarian assistance operations, with the direct participation of US troops. According to the decree, the objective is to “improve interoperability and strengthen national capabilities in crisis scenarios.”
Both maneuvers had been included in a bill submitted to the National Congress, but the initiative was never considered.
@JMilei firmĂł el Decreto 697/2025 autorizando el ingreso de tropas de EE.UU a las bases de Ushuaia, Mar del Plata y Puerto Belgrano.
Una medida que viola la ConstituciĂłn Nacional (art. 75 inc. 28) y desconoce que es el Congreso quien debe autorizar.
No se trata solo de un…
— Jonatan Bogado (@jrbogado) September 30, 2025
The Executive argued the “exceptional nature” of the situation and used the DNU to authorize the arrival of foreign troops. However, the decision sparked political and legal debate, as Article 75 of the Constitution states that the entry of foreign forces into the country requires legislative approval.
The Permanent Bicameral Commission will review the decree’s validity in the coming days, although the operations already have a confirmed schedule. Expenses from Argentina’s participation will be covered by funds from the Ministry of Defense.
The authorization coincides with a period of economic and political tension in Argentina, following the financial support promoted by the Donald Trump administration for Milei’s government and social protests against the president’s policies, which have led to increased poverty and precarious living conditions.
Opposition groups accuse Milei of “ceding military sovereignty” without parliamentary debate and warn the exercises could set a precedent for direct US troop involvement in operations on Argentine territory.
Ya está publicada la ediciĂłn del 30/09/2025 del BoletĂn Oficial de la RepĂşblica Argentina. PodĂ©s visualizarla en https://t.co/eu8kOvi6fq
— BoletĂn Oficial R.A. (@boletin_oficial) September 30, 2025
While “Solidarity” focuses on emergency coordination, “Trident” is shaping up to be the most tactically significant exercise in recent years, combining naval, air, and infantry forces from Argentina, Chile, and the United States.
The Foreign Ministry said the maneuvers aim to “increase regional cooperation” and promote the Argentine Armed Forces in multinational security and defense operations.
(Telesur)
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JB/SH