Argentina threatens to sanction oil projects around Falklands

BUENOS AIRES, Sept 6 — Argentina has announced it will investigate and sanction oil companies working near the Falkland Islands without authorization, following President Javier Milei's remarks about favorable winds for his country's claim to the archipelago. The South Atlantic islands, a British overseas territory known as Las Malvinas, were the site of a 10-week war between Britain and Argentina in 1982.

In a statement, Argentina's presidency ordered the opening of proceedings to investigate and penalize 45 entities linked to hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation around the Falklands, though the statement did not specify the involved entities. British, US, Canadian, Israeli, Danish, and Dutch companies were reported to be among those under investigation.

Oilfield services firms Schlumberger, Halliburton, and Baker Hughes stated they will not work on hydrocarbon projects near the islands. President Milei shared the statements on X, alongside an acronym meaning "everything is going according to plan." The Falklands, situated about 600km east of Argentina's southern tip, are administered by Britain.

The Falklands War ended with Argentina's surrender after 74 days of conflict, resulting in 649 Argentine and 255 British deaths. Milei reiterated his claim to the Falklands during a Thursday speech, announcing tougher sanctions on companies involved in nearby oil projects. "There are winds of change in the world that are favorable to our claim," Milei stated.

The US President, Donald Trump, on Monday suggested the United States was reviewing its stance on the Falkland Islands, expressing willingness to oppose Britain's sovereignty if it fails to boost its NATO defense spending. Britain's Defense Secretary, Wes Streeting, reaffirmed Britain's "unshakeable" commitment to the Falklands, stating that the islands are British because the Falkland Islanders choose to be British.