The strategic alliance between the governments of Javier Milei and Donald Trump will reach an unprecedented milestone in the recent history of Argentine defense in April 2026. Under the name "Atlantic Dagger," the most ambitious joint military exercise of special operations forces in the last 25 years is being prepared, consolidating a defense policy that critics and analysts are already describing as a complete military alignment with Washington.

An unprecedented display of "elite"

The exercise, scheduled for April 6, 2026 , will not be a simple routine maneuver. According to official sources and defense reports, it will include the participation of the most iconic units of the U.S. military:

The training will focus on highly complex missions: counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and joint operations in high-intensity scenarios . The initial training location will be Córdoba , although there are strong rumors of maneuvers taking place in Patagonia (Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego), reigniting the controversy over control of the South Atlantic.

Sovereignty and Decrees: The End of Parliamentary Control?

One of the most critical aspects of “Atlantic Dagger” is the legal mechanism for its implementation. While the National Constitution (Art. 75, inc. 28) requires Congressional authorization for the entry of foreign troops, the precedent of 2025—where Milei authorized “Operation Trident” through an Emergency Decree (DNU) —suggests that the Executive could once again circumvent parliamentary debate.

This action ignores the demands of Patagonian legislators and governors. Congresswoman Agustina Propato has already warned that these exercises, conducted with historical allies of the United Kingdom, systematically weaken Argentina's position regarding the Malvina Islands .

Geopolitics of the "Dagger": The shield against China

For Washington, "Atlantic Dagger" is the tool to regain ground lost to China 's economic and logistical influence in the region. For Milei , it's the bargaining chip to obtain financial and trade support from the Trump administration.

However, the cost of this "shield" is a matter of debate:

“Atlantic Dagger” is not just a military exercise; it is the formalization of a US security enclave in South America. While the government presents it as “modernization,” 71% of the population (according to Zuban Córdoba) views with distrust a policy that seems to trade territorial autonomy for promises of investment.