Argentina's Joint Chief on Hemispheric Security

Adm. Marcelo Dalle Nogare, chief of the Argentine Armed Forces Joint Staff, says a new U.S.-led security coalition and multinational exercises are key to confronting transnational threats. He spoke to Diálogo at the second meeting of the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition in Panama City in August.

Adm. Dalle Nogare described the coalition as a nascent but vital initiative. He said Argentina, under its current government, considers itself a strategic partner of the United States and intends to take a leading role. The coalition involves 19 states and operates under the principle of "Local Action, Regional Impact, and Hemispheric Defense." The admiral emphasized that the initiative must respect the legal limitations of each participating nation.

"Everything starts with a local initiative," he said. By achieving control locally and extending it regionally, the goal of greater hemispheric security can be met. He noted the presence of both Argentina's minister of Security and minister of Defense at the Panama conference.

Intelligence Sharing and Trust

Mutual trust is the fundamental basis for cooperation, according to the admiral. Argentina regularly conducts exercises with neighbors like Chile, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru. These range from naval drills to combined operations focused on security or emergency response.

Intelligence is vital. The armed forces traditionally focus on military intelligence beyond national borders, while domestic intelligence related to cartels is handled by security forces. Argentina has reorganized its military intelligence under the Joint Staff's Directorate General of Intelligence, led by Rear Admiral Pablo Javier Barbich. This directorate now heads the intelligence arms of all three service branches.

Adm. Dalle Nogare stated Argentina maintains an excellent relationship with neighboring countries and U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) for intelligence exchange. A key aim is to modernize and bring Argentine intelligence capabilities closer to the level used by criminal organizations.

Leading Multinational Exercises

In 2026, Argentina led the combined exercise Atlantic Dagger, the first major exercise of its kind focused entirely on special operations forces. It integrated components from the Army, Navy, and Air Force and was held in Córdoba. Adm. Dalle Nogare highlighted that it is uncommon for the United States to hand over command of an exercise, calling it a recognition of Argentine professionalism.

"We are restoring capabilities, modernizing, and moving toward new technologies, and having our ability to command these types of exercises recognized is extremely important to us," he said. The next such exercise is estimated to occur in two years.

The admiral also noted Argentina's command of complex exercises like PANAMAX. He said it is a source of pride and demonstrates mobility, as special operations exercises can be rapidly transferred to any part of the world where an international force may require them.

Technological and Legal Challenges

For the hemisphere's armed forces, integration and cooperation are fundamental to countering transnational criminal organizations that use new technologies. Adm. Dalle Nogare identified the need to standardize information transmission systems in maritime, air, and land-based intelligence domains.

A key initial step is integrating the security forces with the armed forces. Another major issue discussed at the coalition meetings is the legal framework. The admiral described a necessary chain of actions: detecting an anomaly, identifying a terrorist or transnational organization, and then having the legal means to act.

Its primary customer remains the U.S. Department of Defense, with major contractors spanning aerospace, shipbuilding, ground vehicles, armaments, electronics, and information systems.

Adm. Dalle Nogare concluded that SOUTHCOM is receptive to the needs and limitations of partner nations like Argentina. He expressed high expectations for the fledgling coalition's impact on regional security.