In November, President Javier Milei named Lieutenant General Carlos Presti as the country’s new Minister of Defence. The appointment marks a historic shift, as it is the first time since the return to democracy in 1983 that a serving military officer (rather than a civilian) has assumed this role. The decision, framed by the government as an effort to end the ‘demonization’ of the armed forces, has sparked significant debate. Critics, including human rights organizations, view this move as a potential threat to democratic norms, given Argentina's history of military dictatorship and human rights abuses. Supporters argue it reflects a pragmatic approach to defence leadership. This appointment signals an increased role for the military in governance, raising concerns about its implications for civilian oversight and the preservation of democratic principles in Argentina.

Sources: Marco Press, El Pais, BBC, Página 12

Argentina's government announced the creation of the National Migration Agency (ANM), a new body under the Ministry of Security tasked with enforcing immigration laws and coordinating federal law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Police, Airport Police, Naval Prefecture, and Gendarmerie. Inspired by the US Border Patrol, the ANM aims to strengthen border security and combat transnational crime through a unified and operationally coordinated structure. This shift represents a significant change, as immigration oversight historically fell under the Ministry of the Interior. The government emphasized that the ANM would address migration as a national security priority, reflecting a broader trend of adopting U.S.-style security models. While proponents argue this change enhances efficiency in tackling organized crime, critics have expressed concerns about the potential erosion of civil liberties and the implications for accountability in Argentina.

Sources: Ministerio de Seguridad Nacional (1), Ministerio de Seguridad Nacional (2),  El País, La Nación 

On 18 November, an Argentine congressional commission concluded its investigation into the alleged $LIBRA cryptocurrency fraud, implicating President Javier Milei and his sister, Karina Milei, in the scheme. The report accuses Milei of using his presidential platform to promote $LIBRA, a cryptocurrency that collapsed in value shortly after its launch, causing significant financial losses to over 114,000 investors. The commission highlighted Milei's social media endorsement of $LIBRA, which boosted demand before a ‘rug pull’ —a fraudulent manoeuvre where insiders abruptly withdraw funds, causing the asset's value to plummet—led to its abrupt devaluation. The report also alleges misuse of government resources and connections to facilitate the scheme, raising questions about Milei's role and accountability. While the findings have been submitted to judicial authorities, further congressional action is unlikely as many of the new lawmakers elected in October’s mid-term elections are aligned with Milei. They will assume office on 10 December.

Sources: El País, Indo Premier, AP News, International IDEA

On 26 October, Argentina held legislative elections to renew half of the members of the Chamber of Deputies (127 seats) and one-third of the members of the Senate (24 seats). Two main political coalitions won the majority of votes across the country: the incumbent La Libertad Avanza (LLA) and the opposition Fuerza Patria/Peronismo (FP) alliance. In the Chamber of Deputies, LLA received 41.5 per cent of the vote, followed by FP with 34.9 per cent. In the Senate, LLA also led with 42.0 per cent, while FP followed with 36.9 per cent. Despite voting being mandatory, voter turnout was 67.9 per cent, down from 71.5 per cent in the 2021 mid-term legislative elections. At the time of writing, data on women elected to Congress was not available. This election marked the first time the country voted using a Single Paper Ballot (SPB), replacing the previous party ballot system.

Sources:  BBC, Buenos Aires Herald, Infobae, Resultados Elecciones, Cámara Nacional Electoral 

On 8 October, Argentina’s lower chamber of Congress approved a bill aimed at restricting the use of decrees of necessity and urgency (DNU), a legislative tool frequently employed by President Javier Milei to advance his reform agenda. The bill, which had already passed the Senate, introduces stricter controls, requiring DNUs to gain approval from both chambers of Congress rather than just one, and allowing either chamber to annul them. This amendment, seen as a measure to curb executive overreach, marks a significant challenge to Milei, who has issued around 70 such decrees during his term due to his lack of a congressional majority. The legislation now returns to the Senate for final review and approval. However, it still requires presidential promulgation, and Milei retains the option to veto the measure.

Sources: Camara de Diputados, Swissinfo, Info Bae, Pagina 12

On 4 September, Congress overturned President Milei’s veto of a law aimed at improving disability benefits. The law declares disability a national emergency amid worsening conditions for citizens with disabilities affected by Milei’s austerity measures. This is the first time in 22 years that Congress has overturned a presidential veto—which requires a two-thirds majority and signifies the law’s final approval. The president had vetoed Law No. 27.793, originally approved by Congress in June, citing a lack of funds and accusing Congress of fiscal irresponsibility for passing it. According to experts and rights groups, the law’s final approval represents a crucial improvement in the living conditions of one of the most vulnerable sectors of society and among the hardest hit by government cuts in social welfare. The new law declares a national emergency on disability until the end of 2026, raising pensions for people with disability and guaranteeing increased public spending to support their rights.

Sources: Boletin Oficial, El Pais, The guardian, Chequeado

On 1 September, a federal court issued an injunction prohibiting the broadcast of audio recordings featuring Karina Milei, Secretary of the Presidency and sister of President Javier Milei. The recordings, secretly recorded inside the Casa Rosada (President’s office), reportedly contain evidence of a supposed corruption scheme that surfaced in August, allegedly involving Karina Milei and senior officials accused of receiving kickbacks from the purchase of medication through the National Disability Agency. The ban followed earlier leaks of recordings featuring Diego Spagnuolo, the agency’s former head, appearing to admit the scheme and implicating Karina Milei. Journalists had announced plans to release additional recordings featuring Milei. Judge Patricio Maraniello argued that the dissemination of these recordings could harm Milei’s privacy and reputation, and jeopardize her work. Press freedom watchdogs have called the ruling a severe threat to press freedom and to the public’s right to access information in Argentina.

Update: Following an appeal presented by a journalist against the gag order imposed on the publication of audios, Karina Milei asked the court to lift the ban on 15 September, noting that the audio recordings had already been published by foreign media and no longer posed a national security risk. Consequently, on 16 September, a federal court in Buenos Aires lifted the ban. 

Sources: Reporters without borders, El Pais, Buenos Aires Herald, AP News, Global Freedom of Expression, Nuevos Papeles

On 1 July, President Milei signed decree 445/2025, introducing major changes to law 27.192 and dissolving the National Agency for Controlled Material (ANMaC), an independent body created in 2015 by broad Congressional consensus to prevent gun violence. It will be replaced by an office under the Ministry of Security focused mainly on firearms registration. The decree follows earlier measures that deregulate the gun market, including lifting a ban on civilian access to high-caliber semiautomatic weapons, lowering the legal age for purchase, and loosening the process for obtaining permits. Civil society groups have urged Congress to reject the decree, warning that it shifts policy from violence prevention to mere registry and risks fuelling gun violence. They argue that lifting the ban on semiautomatics and lowering the purchasing age could flood the legal market with weapons and feed organized crime. Critics also denounce the use of presidential decrees to bypass legislation passed by Congress with broad support.

Sources: El Pais, Red Argentina para el Desarme, Chequeado, Pagina 12, Presidencia de la Nacion