Milei says ‘winds of change’ favour Argentina in Falklands row

Argentine President Javier Milei declared that the "winds of change" were working in favor of Argentina's claim to the Falkland Islands, citing Washington's willingness to reassess its neutrality on the dispute as a potential turning point. The conflict over the South Atlantic archipelago, known as Las Malvinas by the Argentines, was settled by Britain in a 10-week war in 1982.

Recent developments, including US President Donald Trump's threat to intervene in the dispute and a British-Israeli oil project near the islands, have reignited tensions with Argentina. Milei vowed that Argentina would not remain passive in the face of the project and announced sanctions on firms involved in oil extraction in Argentine territory under British occupation.

The issue of the Falklands remains a highly sensitive matter in Argentina, even though the islanders voted overwhelmingly in 2013 to remain under British rule. Argentine Falklands War veterans and environmental lawyers recently filed a lawsuit to halt the oil project, which is backed by British company Rockhopper and Israeli company Navitas.

Milei claimed that the project violated a UN resolution urging both sides to refrain from unilateral actions in the islands, arguing that allowing it would incentivize the British government to further occupy the islands and exploit Argentine resources. His comments came as his popularity waned, with only around 34% of Argentines backing his austerity and deregulation policies ahead of his re-election bid.

Trump's announcement on Monday that the US was reviewing its stance on the Falklands came amid reports that Washington planned to oppose Britain's sovereignty if it fails to increase defense spending. Trump criticized London's lack of military support for Iran, refusing to confirm whether he would back Britain in a future dispute with Argentina.

The last war over the Falklands occurred in 1982, resulting in 649 Argentine, 255 British, and three civilian casualties.