USA to open anti-narcotics headquarters in Argentina with USD 13.35 million funding
The USA will establish a regional unit of the INL in Argentina with funds of 13.35 million dollars. Minister Monteoliva highlighted the strategic security alliance.
Argentina to host regional INL unit to combat drug trafficking
According to cholilaonline.ar, the national Government announced the installation in the country of a regional headquarters of the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Bureau (INL), part of the United States State Department, within the framework of the bilateral defence and transnational crime-fighting agenda.
Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva confirmed that Washington approved a global fund of 13.35 million dollars. Of that total, USD 7.5 million will be allocated directly to security projects, acquisition of high-technology equipment and training in Argentine territory. The remaining USD 5.85 million will finance programmes of regional scope with active participation from Argentina.
"Argentina is a trustworthy country and our allies know it. With the United States we are strategic security partners," Monteoliva said through her official channels.
The official noted that the new INL headquarters would allow to "multiply investment in cooperation by ten", consolidating the exchange of criminal intelligence technical expertise, tactical assistance and the execution of joint operations to dismantle drug-trafficking routes.
"Faced with transnational criminal organisations that do not recognise borders, we work with our partners to protect families and combat organised crime throughout the region. Law and order," the minister added.
Recent results and history of cooperation
The measure is part of a series of milestones achieved on the shared security agenda between Buenos Aires and Washington. During 2025, anti-narcotics units jointly supported by the INL and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized more than 1,260 kilogrammes of cocaine in Argentina and arrested 35 of the country's main drug trafficking actors.
In October 2024, under the management of Patricia Bullrich at the helm of the Security portfolio, the then head of the INL, Todd Robinson, anticipated Argentina's designation as the seat of the regional centre against synthetic drugs.
In April of this year, the Regional Information and Analysis Centre for Organised Crime (CRIACO) was launched, with the presence of US Under-Secretary of State Thomas DiNanno and Ambassador Peter Lamelas. Months later, in August, Buenos Aires hosted for the first time the International Drug Control Conference (IDEC), co-organised by the national Executive and the DEA.
The Security portfolio explained that coordination with the US agency is indispensable for confronting increasingly complex transnational criminal structures, and that the new scheme will ensure greater presence of federal forces at strategic border points.
Source: Google News AR — Crime