Argentina and the US strengthen their alliance with joint naval exercises in the South Atlantic

Argentina’s harmony with the United States in the government of libertarian president Javier Milei has moved to the seas.

Behind the acquisition of 24 F-16 fighter aircraft Of American origin, the South American country has been participating since Thursday in joint exercises with the United States Navy in Argentine waters as part of the “Southern Seas 2024” operation.

The practices are led by the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, whose length is similar to the length of the Chrysler Building in New York.

“Right now the relationship is fantastic,” U.S. Ambassador Marc Stanley told a group of journalists aboard the ship, including The Associated Press.

“President Milei says he wants to align himself with the United States. At this moment we have great alignment on military, financial and commercial issues. The United States continues to be the largest investor in Argentina,” he said.

Milei, an economist who defines himself as an anarcho-capitalist and staunch defender of the free market, is in California to interview executives from Silicon Valley technology companies, his fourth trip to the United States since he won the presidency in 2023.

The Argentine president has made a 180-degree turn in Argentine foreign policy in search of an alliance with the United States and Israel, to the detriment of close relations with China and Russia, which were priorities for the center-left governments that preceded him. .

In none of his visits to US territory has Milei met with President Joe Biden, although he has met with his Republican opponent Donald Trump, whom he saw in February during a convention of conservative leaders in Florida.

“This is the most important exercise after 14 years,” said Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri, who was present on the first day of the joint military exercises. “It is key for training, for the interoperability of our forces. It means that Argentina matters to the world and the world matters to Argentina.”

The Argentine official indicated that the South American country’s participation in the military exercises will reinforce its request to become a member of NATO.

During the practices, simulations of visit, search and capture operations are carried out to combat illegal fishing, resupply at sea and search for submarines.

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