Argentina threatens to sanction oil projects around Falklands

BUENOS AIRES - Argentina will investigate and penalize 45 oil companies operating near the Falkland Islands without proper authorization, President Javier Milei announced Friday. The claim comes after remarks from the president suggesting favorable global conditions for Argentina's disputed sovereignty over the South Atlantic archipelago.

Britain and Argentina engaged in a 10-week war in 1982 over the islands, which the British refer to as the Falkland Islands. The Argentine presidency did not disclose the specific companies involved but reported that they include entities from Britain, the United States, Canada, Israel, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Oilfield services companies Schlumberger, Halliburton, and Baker Hughes affirmed they do not and will not participate in hydrocarbon projects in the vicinity.

Milei's comments on X, accompanied by a statement claiming "everything is going according to plan," followed his renewed claims for Falkland sovereignty in a speech earlier in the week. The Falkland War, which concluded with Argentina's surrender after 74 days, resulted in 649 Argentine and 255 British casualties. Milei's speech resonated with remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump, who announced on Monday that Washington was reviewing its stance on the Falklands, potentially opposing Britain's sovereignty if Edinburgh increases its NATO defense expenditure.

British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting reaffirmed the United Kingdom's unwavering commitment to the Falklands, stating that the islands' inhabitants have chosen to remain British.