President Javier Milei accepted proposals from the new Defense Minister, Carlos Presti, to replace most Armed Forces chiefs. The announcements were made via social media by Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni. Only the Air Force chief was confirmed in his position.
On December 3, 2025, the Argentine government announced significant changes to the Armed Forces leadership, driven by direct suggestions from Lieutenant General Carlos Presti, who will assume the role of Defense Minister. Presti, until then head of the Army's General Staff, will leave his military position to take the ministry post, replacing Luis Petri, who will move to Congress on December 10.
Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni reported via X: “The President of the Nation, as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, has resolved the following: Division General Oscar Zarich will be the Army Chief. Vice Admiral Juan Carlos Romay will be the Navy Chief. Vice Admiral Marcelo Dalle Nogare will be the Joint Chiefs of Staff head”. Additionally, Brigadier Major Gustavo Valverde was confirmed as head of the Argentine Air Force. The outgoing chiefs had assumed their roles on January 10, 2024, after being appointed by decree on December 29, 2023.
Presti confirmed on his X account that “President of the Argentine Nation Javier Milei, as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, accepted my proposals”. According to Agencia Noticias Argentinas, the new chiefs are close to Karina Milei, the president's sister.
Carlos Presti, born on June 23, 1966, graduated from the National Military College in 1987 as a second lieutenant in Infantry. He has held key roles such as commander of the IV Airborne Brigade, head of the 601 Air Assault Regiment, and director of the Military College. He participated in missions in Haiti and as Defense Attaché in Central American embassies. Former Defense Ministers from Mauricio Macri's government backed him, though they warned of potential role confusions in appointing a military figure to the civilian post.