Javier Milei sweeps away 22 army generals in largest military shake-up in 20 years

Argentine president Javier Milei has shaken up the command structure of the country’s Armed Forces. The ultra right-wing politician assigned the Air Force to head the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest executive body of the military. In addition, he introduced changes in the leadership of the Argentine Army, Navy, and Air Force. The most drastic modifications were made within the army, where Milei appointed Alberto Presti as Chief of the General Staff and automatically retired 22 generals. For analysts, Milei’s government is handing “a clear message of empowerment” to the military, which now also occupies important positions in the Ministry of Defense.

The appointments announced Monday in the Official Gazette indicate that Brigadier-General Xavier Julián Isaac will be the new head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Rear Admiral Carlos María Allievi will take command of the Air Force; Brigadier-Major Fernando Luis Mengo, the Navy, and Brigadier-General Presti, the Army. With this last appointment, 22 senior generals will automatically retire: 23 if the resignation of the former Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Juan Martín Paleo, is added. That represents two thirds of the command corps, according to an estimate made by Clarín newspaper. It is the most drastic change in the army since the government of Néstor Kirchner (2003-2007), when the Peronist president forced 19 generals to retire.