Argentina’s Milei revives bitter Falklands dispute with UK

Argentine President Javier Milei reiterated Argentina's claim on the Falkland Islands and announced plans to introduce sanctions on oil companies operating in the region. This comes amid renewed tensions over the British overseas territory following US President Donald Trump's hint that the US would not assist the UK in a future conflict.

Milei emphasized that the Falklands are Argentine territory, backed by historical and legal arguments. He claimed that the islanders have no legitimate right to self-determination and dismissed any arguments supporting their claim. Milei also denounced the Sea Lion oilfield, owned by Israeli and British firms, as a "clear and present danger" to Argentina's claims.

If sanctions are not implemented promptly, Argentina risks losing control over the oil beneath its waters, Milei warned. His speech came as his popularity plummets, with only around 34% of Argentines supporting his austerity and deregulation policies.

Milei's address also highlighted his plans to build a naval base in Tierra del Fuego, south Argentina. He stated that the US is currently assessing its historical position regarding the Falkland Islands. Trump's announcement on Monday that the US is reviewing its stance on the islands was met with criticism from Trump himself, who questioned the UK's military support in his war with Iran and refused to confirm backing Britain in a potential future dispute with Argentina.

Trump's stance on the Falklands issue has been seen by Argentine analysts as a way to pressure the UK to comply with his demands for NATO funding and cooperation in the Iran conflict. Meanwhile, Sarah Rogers, a senior US State Department official, praised the "exciting things happening in the Western Hemisphere" alongside a photo of her and Milei ahead of his speech.

The Falklands issue has been a contentious topic for decades. In a 2013 referendum, 99.8% of Falkland Islanders voted to remain a British overseas territory, with only three votes against. The islands were the site of the Falklands War in 1982, when Argentina invaded and was subsequently defeated by the UK. The conflict resulted in 649 Argentinian, 255 British, and three Falkland Islander deaths.