"The Falklands are Argentinean," President Javier Milei said during his address. Photo / Getty Images
Javier Milei warned that Falklands residents did not have a right to self-determination as he announced fresh sanctions on oil drilling off the coast of the British archipelago.
In a national address in the early hours of Friday (local time), Milei said Britain was facing an immigration and economic “crisis”
that meant Argentina would prevail in its claim to the Falklands.
The Argentine President announced new sanctions on the companies drilling for oil off the coast of the Falkland Islands in a move that threatens a confrontation with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Milei is set to sign a decree to speed up the sanctions, which would accelerate enforcement procedures under Argentine law against those participating in oil extraction in territory Argentina considers its own, but remains under British control.
Rockhopper Exploration, a British firm, and Navitas, an Israeli company, own the Sea Lion oil field, which contains 1.7 billion barrels of oil, larger than anything remaining in British waters.
Falkland Island residents voted on their political status and self-determination in a referendum held in March 2013. An overwhelming 99.8% voted in favour of remaining a UK Overseas Territory.
Speaking during the address, Milei said that Falkland residents had no right to self-determination and called on the country to unite behind the claim to the archipelago.
“If we look at the structural crisis in the United Kingdom, it’s facing multiple crises on multiple fronts: migration, population, and a difficult economic situation. It’s clear that the future of Argentina is extremely promising, and Argentina will prevail,” he said.
Announcing the sanctions, Milei added: “Our national claim is facing a clear and present danger and requires a proportional response. We will not allow it. Argentina will not stand by facing such a situation. We will deploy all of our economic and diplomatic tools to dissuade the state and non-state actors who are violating our sovereignty.”
Reading from notes laid out on a gilded table, he also had some sharp words for the UK, describing it as a nation in decline.
“In the world, the winds are blowing favourably for our claim right now. Recently, President [Donald] Trump announced that the United States is re-evaluating its historic position regarding the Malvinas,” Milei said.
“Argentina is a country with natural resources, in a position of geographic strategic relevance that is not affected by uncontrolled immigration, the violence this brings, and the problems of national security that today stalks Europe.
“If we evaluate the structural conditions of the United Kingdom, however, they confront multiple crises of a migratory, demographic and economic character that will be difficult to solve. It is clear that they are in decline. However, Argentina is flourishing, and it will prevail.”
The Argentine leader also announced that the country would build a new military base in Tierra del Fuego as part of the country’s growing strategic alliance with Washington.
