Argentine President Javier Milei declared the Falkland Islands as 'Argentinean, historically and legally' in a national address on Thursday, announcing a string of punitive measures against businesses operating on the islands, which he called 'Argentine territory under British occupation'.
Milei's Address and Measures
In a live TV broadcast, Milei said it is Argentina's 'obligation' to regain the Falklands. He told El Observador radio: "We are going to review what is happening on the international stage; yesterday something very significant took place regarding the most important and sacred cause we Argentines have."
"The Falklands are Argentinean. Historically and legally. There can be no argument. They are part of the Argentine territory," he said in the address. He added: "The islanders on their usurped territory do not have a legitimate right to self-determination and any argument on any such self-determination is invalid."
Oilfield Concerns and US Stance
Milei said the Sea Lion oilfield, owned by an Israeli and a British firm with production expected to begin in 2028, was a 'clear and present danger'. He warned: "If we do not act swiftly in a few months, they will have the material capacity to access the oil that lies underneath our sea. Something that has never happened before."
The address follows comments by US President Donald Trump last week. When pressed on America's support for Britain's sovereignty over the Falklands, Trump told reporters: "I always review every position - that's just one of many." The US currently maintains a neutral stance on sovereignty over the islands.
Historical Conflict and UK Response
Political tensions over the territory erupted into warfare in 1982, with the conflict lasting 74 days and concluding with an Argentine surrender. Trump's remarks are seen as the latest sign that the Oval Office may use the dispute as leverage to pressure the UK's Labour government into increasing defence spending and NATO contributions.
An anonymous US official told the Telegraph last week that the White House might alter its stance on the Falklands if Britain fails to meet Trump's demands for defence expenditure of at least five per cent of GDP. At the weekend, the British government restated its "long-standing and unwavering" commitment to keeping the islands a British Overseas Territory. A spokesperson said: "The UK is playing a central role in Nato and strengthening collective defence across Europe. We are Nato's third largest cash spender on defence and the only European NATO member to commit our nuclear deterrent to the alliance."
The Telegraph report follows an April warning involving a leaked internal Pentagon email that suggested the US might withdraw backing for Britain's Falklands claim as punishment for its lack of support regarding the US offensive in Iran.
