Argentina’s President Javier Milei has intensified his country’s claim to the Falkland Islands, declaring the British Overseas Territory “our future” and threatening action against oil companies involved in developing hydrocarbons in waters around the archipelago.
In a nationally televised address focused on the islands, Mr Milei opened by restating Argentina’s long-standing sovereignty claim.
“The Falklands are Argentinian. Historically and legally. There can be no argument. They are part of the Argentine territory,” he said.
The libertarian president argued that Argentina faced a “clear and present danger” from Britain’s development of natural resources around the islands, accusing London of ignoring United Nations resolutions concerning unilateral activity in the disputed territory.
“For more than 50 years, the United Nations have been calling Argentina and the United Kingdom not to undertake unilateral actions on the territory of the islands until the dispute is resolved, including the use of its national resources.
“However, the United Kingdom has systematically failed to heed that call.”
Mr Milei focused particular attention on the Sea Lion oil project in the South Atlantic, which is being developed by Israeli company Navitas Petroleum and UK-listed Rockhopper Exploration.
Navitas holds a 65 per cent stake in the project, with Rockhopper owning the remaining 35 per cent. The field lies about 136 miles north of the Falkland Islands and is estimated to contain the equivalent of approximately 900mn barrels of oil.
The development could become a significant source of revenue for the Falkland Islands economy. The Falkland Islands Government is set to receive a 9 per cent royalty on revenues from the field, alongside a 26 per cent corporation tax on profits.
Mr Milei warned that drilling could begin within months and said Argentina would seek to prevent the development from proceeding.
“That means that if we do not act swiftly in a few months, they will have the material capacity to access the oil that lies underneath our sea. Something that has never happened before.
“That means that our national claim is facing a clear and present danger, and requires a proportional response. We will not allow it.”
The Argentine president announced plans to impose sanctions on oil companies operating “under the British occupation” around the Falkland Islands and said his government would accelerate a decree to bring the measures into force.
Mr Milei also rejected the Falkland Islanders’ right to self-determination, describing residents as living “on their usurped territory” and calling their right to determine the islands’ political future “invalid”.
The position directly conflicts with the result of a 2013 referendum, in which 1,513 islanders voted to remain a British Overseas Territory and three voted against, on a turnout of more than 90 per cent.
The address also highlighted Argentina’s attempt to strengthen its strategic relationship with the US.
Announcing plans for a naval base in Tierra del Fuego, in southern Argentina, Mr Milei said Donald Trump and the US were “assessing their historical position in regard to the Falklands”.
“That is not empty words as they understand that Argentina is a reliable partner and a valuable ally for decades to come,” he said.
“Our role and relevance as a country in the world has changed dramatically.
“The Falklands are our future – we need to recover these islands which are nationally relevant. There is no other path forward.
“It is the best way of paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for this cause. It is our obligation as a nation to honour their memory.”
The remarks come amid renewed uncertainty over Washington’s position on a potential future dispute between Britain and Argentina.
In a world exclusive interview with GB News on Thursday, President Trump suggested that the US might not automatically support Britain in a conflict over the South Atlantic territory.
The US president’s comments followed confirmation that Washington was reviewing its position on the Falkland Islands.
The sovereignty dispute has remained unresolved since Britain and Argentina fought a 74-day war over the islands in 1982, following their invasion by Argentina’s military junta.
Britain regained control of the territory after the Argentine surrender. A total of 649 Argentine servicemen died during the conflict.
The islands had no permanent population before British settlement, while English explorers had reached the archipelago more than a century before Argentina became an independent state.
Mr Milei’s intervention nevertheless represents one of the strongest statements on the Falklands issue by his administration, combining Argentina’s longstanding sovereignty claim with a direct challenge to Britain’s plans to exploit potentially significant oil reserves in the surrounding waters.
With drilling at Sea Lion approaching and Buenos Aires seeking to deepen its relationship with Washington, the dispute over the islands could once again become a more prominent source of diplomatic tension between Britain and Argentina.
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