The Argentines have broadly supported President Javier Milei’s strong opposition to oil exploration near the Falkland Islands, highlighting the enduring relevance of Argentina’s sovereignty claim over the archipelago controlled by the British.
In a televised address on Thursday, Milei said he would present a bill to Congress to tighten sanctions against companies that carry out drilling and participate in “other activities on the islands that affect our natural resources.”
Previously, Milei defended diplomacy rather than confrontation regarding the Falklands.
Argentina has claimed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands for almost two centuries and lost a war with the United Kingdom over them in 1982. The United Kingdom said on Friday that its position was “unwavering”.
As Argentina does not administer the islands, it cannot directly prevent drilling there.
Argentines support Milei’s tougher stance on the Falklands
In Buenos Aires, Mariana Hamicha, a 49-year-old accountant, said Milei’s firmer stance signaled that Argentina was defending its interests.
“I think taking a firm stance, especially with regard to exploration by foreign companies and oil extraction, can be a way to draw a line,” Hamicha said.
Milei also proposed the creation of a National Security Council to coordinate aerospace and maritime security policies, and promised more resources for a naval base in the southernmost province, Tierra del Fuego, a strategic gateway to the Falklands and to Antarctica.
The government did not provide further details about the bill.
“What Milei understood is that this is the moment to act,” said Juan Battaleme, a former secretary of international defense affairs in Milei’s government.
US may revise stance on Falklands dispute
The speech by Milei came days after President Donald Trump suggested that the U.S. could reconsider its neutral stance, citing frustration with Britain’s limited support for U.S.-led military operations in the Middle East.
Sea Lion oil project enters the center of the dispute
The Sea Lion oil field, north of the Falkland Islands, is operated by Navitas Petroleum, which holds the majority stake, while Rockhopper Exploration holds 35%. The two companies have strong ties to Israeli investors.
The companies said on Friday that they held valid oil exploration licenses and did not believe Milei’s comments would affect the project.
Shares of both companies fell sharply on Friday.
Candela Mascetti, a researcher at the War College in Buenos Aires, said Milei’s statements marked a notable shift for a president frequently criticized for not paying enough attention to the Falklands issue.
“I don’t think having a naval base implies a call to arms, but it’s a stance we hadn’t seen from Milei’s government in such a forceful way before,” Mascetti said.
Low approval increases pressure on Milei
Veterans of the Falklands War and the left-wing opposition criticized Milei for praising former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher — whose government defeated Argentina in the war for the islands — as one of the “greatest leaders” in the world.
He also said that Argentina expected that the island residents “one day decide to vote for us,” a comment that, critics say, echoed the United Kingdom’s emphasis on residents’ right to self-determination.
Milei, who is set to run for re-election in 2027, has a low approval rating of 36.8%, according to a poll conducted in August by Zuban Córdoba e Asociados.
“Given Milei’s poll numbers — and Trump’s hints that he is reconsidering the U.S. position in the dispute — it makes sense that Milei is taking a tougher line,” said Benjamin Gedan, director of the Latin America program at the Stimson Center, based in the United States.
Even Milei’s opponents support changes to the Falklands
Even some of his political opponents welcomed Thursday’s announcement, though they criticized Milei for not taking stronger action earlier.
Juan Grabois, a prominent left-wing leader, said on X: “The 180-degree turn by Milei is welcome; he has gone from a colonized fool to claiming Argentina’s historical stance.”
Guillermo Carmona, who oversaw Argentina’s policy on the Falklands claim during the previous center-left government, said Milei’s measures were a positive step, but insufficient, given Argentina’s close diplomatic ties with Israel.
“Milei needs to pressure the Israeli government,” he said.
Israeli authorities did not respond to a request for comment on the sanctions proposed by Milei.
