The British government has reiterated its commitment to the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands following a national address by Argentine President Javier Milei. In his speech, President Milei declared the archipelago to be "historically and legally" Argentine and announced plans to impose sanctions on companies involved in oil exploration near the islands.
The dispute centers on the Sea Lion oilfield, located approximately 130 miles from the islands, where British firm Rockhopper Exploration and Israel’s Navitas Petroleum are scheduled to begin extraction by 2028. Despite the threat of sanctions, the companies issued a joint statement confirming that their operations, which hold valid licenses from the Falkland Islands government, remain on schedule.
Downing Street emphasized that the islands will remain a British overseas territory as long as the residents desire, citing a 2013 referendum in which 99.8% of voters chose to maintain their current status. A government spokesperson stated that British armed forces remain on standby to protect the nation's interests. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Defence Secretary Wes Streeting also affirmed the UK's "absolute and unshakeable" support for the islanders' right to self-determination.
President Milei, who described the UK as a nation "in decline," also announced plans for a new naval base in Tierra del Fuego. He suggested that the United States might be reconsidering its historical position on the territory, though the U.S. has maintained a stance of formal neutrality regarding the sovereignty dispute. The two nations have remained at odds over the territory since the 1982 conflict, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of military personnel and civilians.
Source: BBC News
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