In a move symbolizing the rekindling of close diplomatic ties between Argentina and the United States, President Javier Milei welcomed U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to the Casa Rosada on Monday. The visit culminated in the signing of an agreement to initiate Argentina’s bid to rejoin the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, a status the country held from 1996 to 2002.
The announcement marks a significant milestone in Milei’s foreign policy, which has leaned heavily on aligning with Washington and Tel Aviv since he took office in December 2023. “We’re beginning the process of allowing Argentines to enter the U.S. without a visa. More freedom, more integration, more exchange,” said Argentina’s Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, who participated in the bilateral talks.
The Argentine government described the agreement as a clear sign of the “excellent relationship” between President Milei and former U.S. President Donald Trump, calling it “based on the trust that exists between both leaders.” Secretary Noem echoed that sentiment in a public statement, praising Milei’s leadership and describing Argentina as “an even stronger friend to the United States—more committed than ever to border security for both of our nations.”
Argentina’s prior participation in the Visa Waiver Program was obtained during the presidency of Carlos Menem, a key architect of Argentina’s neoliberal turn in the 1990s and a political figure often lauded by Milei. Menem famously referred to Argentina’s U.S. alliance at the time as one of “carnal relations” — a term Milei’s administration appears eager to revive in tone and substance.
Rejoining the program will not be automatic. Argentina must meet strict U.S. requirements, including a visa rejection rate below 3%, full cooperation on border and immigration security, and assurances that it can quickly repatriate nationals when necessary. The process, as Noem noted, is expected to take at least a year.
If successful, Argentine citizens would be able to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa, using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a benefit already enjoyed by citizens of most EU countries.
During her visit, Secretary Noem also signed a memorandum of understanding with Minister Bullrich to expand cooperation on transnational crime, including efforts to locate fugitives and combat drug trafficking. The two officials later toured the Campo de Mayo military base outside Buenos Aires, where Noem was seen on horseback and spoke briefly to local press. Asked whether a Trump–Milei meeting was imminent, she did not rule it out.
While the visa waiver timeline may disappoint some Argentines—particularly those already eyeing the next FIFA World Cup in North America—the diplomatic shift signals Argentina’s deeper integration into a U.S.-oriented geopolitical framework. For Milei, who has openly championed libertarian values and Atlanticism, the agreement is both a symbolic and strategic victory.
As the U.S. election looms and Trump eyes a potential return to power, Argentina’s alignment may further deepen. Whether this new era of “carnal relations” will yield lasting benefits remains to be seen, but for now, both governments appear eager to turn the page on past tensions and write a new chapter of transcontinental cooperation.
