Milei boosts Bullrich’s role in Cabinet reshaping

President Javier Milei has elevated Patricia Bullrich’s role in his government by rebranding her Cabinet portfolio as the National Security Ministry.

Government officials said the move, announced via government decree, reinforces the importance of Bullrich’s role in tackling organised crime and fighting drug-trafficking.

Through the Necessity and Urgency Decree (DNU) 58/2025, issued Tuesday, Milei’s government restructured the Law of Ministries, redefining Cabinet functions and renaming the Security Ministry to highlight its role.

In line with the change, Milei formally appointed Bullrich as National Security Minister through Decree 59/2025, also published in the Official Gazette.

"In light of the experience gained and to emphasise the assigned competencies, this modification is necessary and urgent to adapt the Ministry to the paradigm shift in the concept of security," the decree signed by Milei states.

It justified the restructuring as “in line with the paradigm shift in the concept of ‘Security,’ where life, liberty, and property serve as the fundamental pillars for the development of each individual's life projects."

Bullrich, 68, has become one of Milei’s key officials since losing out to him in the 2023 presidential race and subsequently backing his candidacy in the run-off.

Known for her hardline stance on crime and public order, she previously served as security minister in ex-president Mauricio Mari’s 2015-2019 government.

Once a key figure in Macri’s centre-right PRO party, she is now at odds with many of her former colleagues. Many expect her to formally align herself with Milei’s La Libertad Avanza party ahead of the October midterms.

Milei’s decree also eliminates the Presidential Press Secretariat, passing its responsibilities to the newly created Secretariat of Communication & Media Secretariat.

The presidential cabinet will now consist of eight ministries: Foreign Affairs, Defence, Economy, Justice, National Security, Health, Human Capital, and Deregulation & State Transformation.

Presidential Secretariats will also be restructured as follows: General, Legal & Technical, Strategic Regulatory Planning, State Intelligence, Communication & Media, and Culture.

– TIMES/NA