Milei vows to rebuild armed forces in Veterans Day speech

President Javier Milei reaffirmed Argentina’s right of sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands and vowed to “rebuild the armed forces” in a speech delivered for Veterans’ Day on Thursday morning.  April 2 is a public holiday in Argentina in commemoration of the country’s fallen soldiers in the 1982 war against the United Kingdom.  During his five-minute presentation, the president acknowledged that the military was undergoing economic problems due to low salaries and problems with its social security system. He announced that 10% of the tax revenue from privatizations of state-owned enterprises will be allocated to the purchase of weapons and other resources for national defense. “[I want to express] Eternal respect and gratitude to the heroes who offered their lives for the supreme value of defending the Homeland; there is no greater expression of the values ​​that represent us as a Nation than our Armed Forces.” Present at the ceremony at Plaza San Martín in downtown Buenos Aires were Presidency Secretary Karina Milei, Chief of Staff Manuel Adorni, and Buenos Aires City Mayor Jorge Macri. The Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Vice Admiral Marcelo Alejandro Dalle Nogare, as well as Malvinas veterans and relatives of fallen soldiers, were also in attendance. The Malvinas sovereignty claim continues During his speech, Milei stated that the 1982 war did not alter the “legal nature” of the dispute, which the United Nations has recognized as a “special and particular colonial situation.”  The president reaffirmed Argentina’s call for a “peaceful and definitive solution” through dialogue with the United Kingdom. Milei expressed gratitude for the international support Argentina’s claim has received in places like the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and Mercosur. In 2027, on the 45th anniversary of the war, his government will grant recognition to the veterans for what he called a “debt” the country owes to its “heroes.”  Finally, he warned that the country will respond to the investment announced by Rockhopper Exploration and Navitas Petroleum in the North Malvinas Basin with the “diplomatic measures required to protect its rights and defend its interests.” Ceremonies all around the country There were several commemorations honoring Malvinas veterans across the country, including a massive gathering at the National Flag Monument in Rosario, Santa Fe.  One major official ceremony took place in southern Argentina. In Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego, several provincial governors attended a ceremony honoring veterans and fallen soldiers of the war. Alongside Tierra del Fuego Governor Gustavo Melella and Río Grande Mayor Martín Perez were the governors of Buenos Aires province and La Rioja, Axel Kicillof and Ricardo Quintela. Ruling party La Libertad Avanza was represented by Senator Bartolomé Abdala, as well as deputies Andrés Leone, Virginia Gallardo, Carlos Brizuela, Veronica Razzini, and Nicolás Mayoraz. One of the most iconic memorial events took place on Wednesday night in Ushuaia. Thousands of people marched with torches to the shore, as they do every April 1, to honor the veterans. Minutes before midnight, a simulated landing took place, followed by the sound of sirens and the traditional gun salute in honor of the 649 soldiers who perished in the war. Editorial disclaimer: Although the UK refers to the territory as the “Falklands Islands,” Argentina strongly contests this name. The Buenos Aires Herald uses “Malvinas” to refer to the islands.