The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is now operating in Argentine waters, and its presence has triggered a flurry of activity in the halls of the Casa Rosada (the Argentine presidential palace). After cruising off the coast of Puerto Deseado on Monday, the flagship of the United States is heading towards a meeting that could mark a milestone in Argentine foreign policy: President Javier Milei's visit aboard one of the most powerful military vessels in the world .

Under the framework of Decree 264/2026, the Argentine Navy has launched Operation "Atlantic Dagger," described by the government as the most important joint military exercise in the last 25 years. The schedule is meticulously planned:

Milei to the aircraft carrier

The invitation extended by US Ambassador Peter Lamelas seeks to solidify the close alignment between Milei and the new leadership of Southern Command under General Francis L. Donovan . In a context of renewed Monroe Doctrine and the "Trump Corollary," the Nimitz's presence in the South Atlantic is interpreted by international analysts as a direct message to contain China's influence in the region.

While Defense Minister Carlos Presti and high-ranking military officials have already confirmed their presence, Milei's attendance is subject to his parliamentary schedule, although official sources say that "it is very likely" that the president will board the aircraft carrier this Thursday the 30th, before the fleet parades in column in front of Mar del Plata .

Sovereignty and Budgetary Reality

This deployment occurs against a backdrop of contrasts. While the government celebrates the purchase of the F-16s and the alliance with the US, international reports (SIPRI) underline that Argentina allocates only 0.56% of its GDP to defense , one of the lowest levels in the world.

The presence of the Nimitz, with its 90 aircraft and nuclear technology, highlights the capabilities gap in the South Atlantic, an area where control of natural resources and maritime routes is once again at the heart of competition between major powers. The "Visit, Search, and Seizure" exercise to be carried out by the Argentine patrol vessel "Cordero" and the "Gridley" is a tactical rehearsal for a much larger challenge: the effective protection of our sovereignty against British fishing fleets and the occupation of the Malvina Islands.