The Government of the United Kingdom emphasized this Friday that the Falkland Islands “are British” and stated that its commitment to the archipelago “is absolute and unwavering,” after the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, pointed to “favorable winds of change” regarding the dispute and announced sanctions for oil companies operating in the area without Buenos Aires’ permission.
“Milei’s statement last night says more about Argentina’s internal politics than about the Falkland Islands”, said British Defense Minister Wes Streeting, using the name London gives the archipelago.
“The Falkland Islands are British because the residents of the Falkland Islands chose to be British. Our commitment to the Falklands is absolute and unwavering,” he concluded through a message posted on social media.
Hours earlier, Milei announced that he will sign a decree to accelerate the tightening of sanctions against those participating in oil extraction initiatives in the Falkland Islands “without authorization” from Buenos Aires, while also advancing the construction of a naval base integrated into the province of Tierra del Fuego, located at the southern tip of South America, and increasing its telecommunications capabilities.
The leader referred to the archipelago as “Argentine territory under British occupation” and alluded to recent statements by his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, who pointed to the possibility of reviewing Washington’s support for London in the sovereignty dispute over the islands.
Milei explained that, in his view, the United States “is evaluating that change of position because it knows Argentina has a reliable partner aligned with Western values in a position of strategic relevance,” while insisting that “the Falklands are Argentine by history and by right.” “There is no discussion” on this matter,” he concluded.
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