Argentina threatens to sanction oil projects around Falklands

Argentina has announced it will investigate and sanction oil companies operating near the Falkland Islands without proper authorization, following President Javier Milei's statement that favorable winds are supporting Argentina's claim to the archipelago. The South Atlantic islands, known as Las Malvinas by Argentines, were the site of a 10-week war between Britain and Argentina in 1982.

Milei's presidency reported on Friday the opening of proceedings to investigate and penalize 45 entities involved in hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation around the Falklands, without specifying the companies. British oilfield services companies Schlumberger, Halliburton, and Baker Hughes have stated they will not work on hydrocarbon projects near the islands.

Milei shared the statements and an acronym on X, interpreting the response as everything going according to plan. The Falkland Islands, located about 600 km east of Argentina's southernmost tip and administered by Britain, saw a war between Britain and Argentina in 1982, resulting in the surrender of Argentina after 74 days of conflict, with 649 Argentines and 255 British troops killed.

In a speech on Thursday, Milei reiterated demands for the Falkland Islands and announced more stringent sanctions on companies linked to nearby oil projects. The comments came after US President Donald Trump on Monday said the United States was reviewing its position on the Falkland Islands, potentially opposing Britain's sovereignty if it does not increase its NATO defense spending.

British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting reiterated Britain's "unshakeable" commitment to the Falklands, stating that the islands are British because the Falkland Islanders choose to be British.