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Argentine military to have a greater role in combating drug-trafficking

Thursday, May 31st 2018 - 08:54 UTC
Full article 16 comments
The activities of the country's Armed Forces are a sensitive topic in Argentina given the atrocities the military committed during the 1976-1983 military dictatorship.  (Pic Clarin) The activities of the country's Armed Forces are a sensitive topic in Argentina given the atrocities the military committed during the 1976-1983 military dictatorship. (Pic Clarin)
The Mauricio Macri government has come out in defense of its decision, which will come into effect from June 2. The Mauricio Macri government has come out in defense of its decision, which will come into effect from June 2.

Argentina’s Armed Forces will soon play a bigger role in the fight against drug-trafficking and terrorism, as the president Mauricio Macri administration looks to assigning new responsibilities to the military in domestic and border security.

Among the proposed changes, the Air Force will play a greater role in air traffic control while the Army will have a larger presence on the country’s northern borders, according to a draft presidential decree to which the news portal Infobae had access.

“By putting the Army on the border we will be able to reposition a greater number of Border Guard officers on the streets and roads to strengthen daily security and stop common crimes”, Defense Ministry sources told Infobae.

The activities of the country's Armed Forces are a sensitive topic in Argentina given the atrocities the military committed during the 1976-1983 military dictatorship.

Several major restrictions on the military remain in place from previous governments, while Armed Forces infrastructure and personnel numbers have significantly declined, particularly in the last decade.

The Macri government has come out in defense of its decision, which will come into effect from June 2.

“Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and many other sovereign countries are using their Armed Forces in some way to control the activities of drug-traffickers, drug-guerrillas or Islamic militants”, a statement from the Cabinet Chief’s Office said.

“Not doing so implies falling behind the rest of the world and not using the human resources and materials (of the Armed Forces), which cost the national state a great deal of money”, it added.

Original top photo!

Categories: Politics, Argentina.

Top Comments

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  • Conqueror

    @EM. And the problem with making argies pay for their ill-gotten gains is? Let's not forget that argieland is, essentially, spain on a different landmass. Its brutal, murderous conquest is well-documented. It wasn't long ago that argieland proudly proclaimed that there were no indigenous people on its territory. A demonstrable lie, but it clarifies the mindset. There ARE indigenous people and a good start in correcting the situation would be to continue criminal legal actions against everyone connected with any Kirchnerite or Peronist regime, seize all their assets and distribute them to the indigenous people. From over here in the UK, my government's actions. Politicians have short memories. I don't. Until the day I die, I will NEVER acquire anything originating in argieland. I would rather starve.

    Jun 02nd, 2018 - 12:25 pm +1
  • DemonTree

    “Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and many other sovereign countries are using their Armed Forces in some way to control the activities of drug-traffickers, drug-guerrillas or Islamic militants”

    He should not be asking only whether other countries are doing this, but how well it is working. It would be foolish to copy a failed strategy.

    Jun 02nd, 2018 - 11:08 pm +1
  • Conqueror

    @EM

    “Now, it seems to me that you have a bit of a bias.”

    Let's see now. Who lies about “inheriting” certain Islands? “Inheritance” NEVER having been agreed as an “approved” method of territorial acquisition under ANY international law.

    Who lies about having a “claim” to certain Islands? Such a “claim” having been refuted many times on this very board.

    Who lies about “settlers” on certain Islands being evicted “by force”? When the evidence shows that an illegal military garrison were asked to leave and only four civilians left voluntarily and by choice.

    Who lies about “constant claims”? When the evidence shows that a vice-president admitted at one time that the only outstanding matter of contention was compensation that his country owed.

    Who lies about its close links to Nazi Germany? As demonstrated by the Hitler-encouraged claims to another country's territory and sheltering of war criminals.

    Who lies about other territorial “claims”? When it encroaches on territory already claimed.

    Who lies about its illegal activities? Such as sending a collaborator to ask another country for permission to set up a business on its territory and the declaring hime to be “the commandant”, landing its agents and military on another country's territory.

    Who lies to attempt to justify an unprovoked, illegal attack, invasion and occupation of the homeland of innocent civilians? Not forgetting the killing of 255 members of a sovereign state's armed forces sent to evict the cowardly invaders.

    Who continues to lie about 40 UN General Assembly resolutions? That have no relevance.

    Who continues to lie to waste the time of the international community?

    The answer to all these questions and examples is one word. Want to take a crack at it?
    Why would I have any bias?

    Jun 03rd, 2018 - 05:41 pm +1
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