The upcoming resignation has raised questions at the Casa Rosada about who will take the lead of the ministry overseeing the Armed Forces. In recent hours, a new name from Mendoza has joined the race to enter the Cabinet to replace Petri: it is provincial lawmaker for La Libertad Avanza, Gustavo Cairo (a lawyer with direct ties to President Javier Milei's government), who is being touted as the 'chosen one' for the Defense Ministry, according to Ciudadano News. Alongside Cairo, the possible appointment of Luis Emilio Magnaghi, director of the Center for Strategic Studies for Security and Defense of Santa Romana, is mentioned, who would join the Ministry as his technical arm. The current Minister of Defense, Luis Petri, is preparing to leave his role in the National Executive and assume his seat as a deputy on December 10, after being elected as a candidate for La Libertad Avanza. This pilot and lawyer would be in charge of 'advising the future minister on relations with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the re-equipment, and the operational readiness of the forces,' providing the necessary technical expertise. Those who support the potential appointment of this duo highlight the importance of complementary profiles to address the challenges of the ministry. Proponents of the Cairo-Magnaghi formula emphasize the need for 'a figure with the capacity to lead the ministry politically and another with the necessary training to competently accompany this complex' process of modernization and restructuring. The new leadership at the Ministry of Defense will face enormous critical challenges, including the grave financial situation of the Armed Forces Social Work (IOSFA), the deterioration of the salary of uniformed personnel, the decision on the sale of Armed Forces lands, and the future of the Military Manufacturing companies. Furthermore, the new minister will have to assume key responsibilities such as budget development, logistical coordination, military strategic intelligence, and the formulation of policies to guarantee national territorial integrity. This article was first published in Mendoza Today. Source: Mendoza Today
