Argentine leader threatens to sanction oil firms working off Falklands
Javier Milei reiterates his country's claim on the British overseas territory, saying the "winds of change" favour it.
By BBC News
Argentine President Javier Milei has threatened sanctions against oil firms involved in exploration near the Falkland Islands, in a fresh escalation of his country’s long-running sovereignty dispute with the UK.
In a televised address, Milei said the islands are “historically and legally” part of Argentina and warned that firms linked to oil projects there could face penalties if they operate without Argentine authorisation.
He specifically referred to the Sea Lion oilfield, around 130 miles from the Falklands, which is expected to be developed by Rockhopper Exploration and Navitas Petroleum. The field is believed to hold about 1.7 billion barrels of oil.
The BBC report said Milei also outlined plans to send legislation to parliament to strengthen Argentina’s response to such projects. It added that the UK government has reiterated that Falklands residents are British and have the right to decide their own future.
Milei said the timing of the project meant Argentina could not “stand idly by”, while the details of how any sanctions would work remained unclear.