Argentine President Javier Milei has intensified his country’s long-running sovereignty dispute with Britain over the Falkland Islands, announcing new measures aimed at stopping a major offshore oil project near the British-controlled territory.
In a nationally televised address on Thursday, Milei also welcomed comments from U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting Washington could reconsider its traditionally neutral position on sovereignty over the islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas.
Milei portrayed Trump’s remarks as evidence that his close relationship with the U.S. president was strengthening Argentina’s international position, despite criticism from domestic opponents who have accused him of being overly deferential to Washington.
“The United States is considering this change in position because it knows that Argentina has a reliable partner, aligned with Western values,” Milei said, describing his country as a strategically important potential ally in the years ahead.
Milei also announced measures targeting the Sea Lion offshore oil project, located about 220 kilometers, or 140 miles, north of the islands.
British company Rockhopper Exploration and Israel’s Navitas Petroleum plan to begin drilling in the coming months, with oil production expected to start in 2028.
Argentina considers the project an illegal exploitation of natural resources in waters over which it claims sovereignty.
Milei threatened tougher sanctions against companies participating in the development and announced additional funding for a naval base in Argentina’s southernmost province of Tierra del Fuego. The investment is intended to strengthen the country’s military presence near the disputed islands.
“Argentina will not stand idly by,” Milei said, warning that any further moves involving the islands would be viewed by his government as a threat to Argentina’s national security.
The Falkland Islands have been administered by Britain since 1833 but remain claimed by Argentina. The two countries fought a war over the territory in 1982, and sovereignty remains a deeply sensitive political issue in Argentina.
