U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri at the Pentagon on Wednesday to deepen military cooperation and address rising regional threats.
The July 2 meeting marked a key milestone in rebuilding the U.S.–Argentina defense partnership under the Trump and Milei administrations, with both countries emphasizing closer collaboration on space operations, critical minerals, and security in the South Atlantic.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the two leaders discussed efforts to “deepen and institutionalize the U.S.–Argentina defense relationship and deter malign influence in the Western Hemisphere.”
Hegseth commended Argentina’s ongoing defense modernization, citing the country’s recent acquisition of F-16 fighter jets and Stryker armored vehicles. He also noted significant progress in restoring bilateral ties under the current leadership.
The discussion focused on several strategic areas, including access to critical minerals, joint space initiatives, and maritime security in the South Atlantic. Both sides agreed to maintain regular engagement on shared defense priorities.
The meeting signals Washington’s renewed focus on Latin American partnerships amid growing concerns over foreign influence in the region. Argentina’s push to modernize its military dovetails with U.S. efforts to bolster hemispheric security and counter geopolitical threats in the Western Hemisphere.
