Argentina's Milei threatens UK with international legal action over Falkland Islands oil project

Argentine President Javier Milei has threatened the United Kingdom with international legal action over an oil project near the Falkland Islands. Milei gave the UK two weeks to halt the Sea Lion project or face legal action through the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg. Argentina argues that the UK's authorization for the project violates a UN resolution calling for the avoidance of unilateral actions while their sovereignty dispute is unresolved.

If the UK does not stop the project within the two-week period, Argentina plans to take the matter to the International Tribunal. The Sea Lion project, being developed by Israel's Navitas Petroleum and Britain's Rockhopper Exploration, is located approximately 220 kilometers north of the Falkland Islands. Despite Argentina's objections, the companies involved in the project maintain that they hold valid licenses for it.

The UK has defended the right of the Falkland Islanders to develop their natural resources, with the islands having been under British control since 1833. A 2013 referendum saw 99.8% of voters support remaining a British Overseas Territory. Argentina, however, rejects the referendum and maintains its sovereignty claim over the Falkland Islands, also known as the Malvinas.