How a multibillion-dollar oilfield has ignited UK-Argentina feud over the Falklands
Argentina and the UK once fought a war over the Falkland Islands. Now the multibillion-dollar Sea Lion oil project has reignited old tensions, with Buenos Aires seeking to put a stop to the plans.
A £1.8 billion oilfield project in the waters surrounding the Falkland Islands has reignited tensions between the UK and Argentina over the disputed territory. Israel-based Navitas Petroleum and the UK's Rockhopper Exploration are jointly operating the Sea Lion oilfield, with plans to begin extraction by early 2028. Argentine President Javier Milei has threatened to take the project to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and impose sanctions against those involved, arguing that the project is an "illegal plundering of our resources" and calling for an international legal challenge.
The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, which supports the project, emphasizes their right to self-determination and to develop their own resources. Analysts note that this issue has been a recurring theme in Argentine politics since the 1980s, often used to rally nationalist support. While there is little expectation of armed conflict, the economic stakes are high, with the project potentially increasing the Falklands' GDP substantially.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
