Argentina’s President Javier Milei has said he will sanction oil companies working off the Falklands as he reiterated the country’s claim on the British overseas territory in the south-west Atlantic Ocean.<\/p>\n
In a national address, Milei said the “winds of change” favoured Argentina’s claim to the Falklands, pointing to Washington’s readiness to review its neutrality on the dispute.<\/p>\n
Milei said the Sea Lion oilfield, where a British and an Israeli firm are due to begin exploration work, was a “clear and present danger”. <\/p>\n
More than 40 years after the armed conflict over the territory, the sovereignty of the archipelago remains hotly disputed between Britain and Argentina.<\/p>\n
BBC News is seeking comment from the UK government on Milei’s statement. It reiterated this week that Falkland islanders “are British with a right to determine their own future”.<\/p>\n
The Sea Lion oilfield contains an estimated 1.7 billion barrels of oil, and production is expected to begin in 2028. <\/p>\n
“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 \u2013 something that has never happened before,” Milei said. <\/p>\n
It is not yet clear how or to what extent the sanctions will be imposed or tightened. In Argentina, a current law already allows for restrictions of activities of oil companies participating in projects considered unauthorised on the islands. <\/p>\n
In a 2013 referendum, residents of the islands voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory – with 99.8% voting in favour and just three voting against.<\/p>\n