Milei moves to professionalise Argentina’s intelligence service

Argentina's President Javier Milei's administration is undertaking a significant overhaul of the country's intelligence service, the State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE). The reforms, set to take effect in 2027, aim to professionalize and depoliticize the agency, moving away from its history of improvisation and institutional decay.

The new system will introduce open recruitment, competitive selection, specialized training, and promotions based on performance, rather than seniority or political connections. SIDE will establish a new National Intelligence Corps, composed of individuals chosen based on professional qualifications and merit. Candidates will undergo open recruitment and competitive examinations, ensuring a transparent and merit-based entry process.

The government emphasizes that seniority will no longer be the sole criterion for promotions, with minimum periods of service, physical and psychological fitness, mandatory training, and favorable performance assessments factored into career advancement.

The reforms are part of a broader restructuring of the intelligence system under Milei's government. Previous changes include leadership changes, expanded agency powers, and budget increases above inflation. The centerpiece of the latest reform is the creation of the National Intelligence Corps, which the government says will operate independently of political influence.

SIDE's Secretary, Cristian Auguadra, highlighted the importance of institutional continuity, stating that the new corps will transcend governments and generations. The intelligence service will be tasked with understanding threats, protecting Argentina's interests, and ensuring institutional stability. The process will begin with the selection of highly trained, competent, and honest agents, forming a stable, demanding, and apolitical career based on merit and professional excellence.