Buoyed By Trump, Milei Says 'Winds Of Change' Back Argentina's Falklands Claim Over Britain

Argentine President Javier Milei on Friday said that the “winds of change” were now favourable to Buenos Aires’ long-standing claim over the Falkland Islands, pointing to recent signals from US President Donald Trump that Washington could reassess its position on the dispute with Britain.

“There are winds of change in the world that are favorable to our claim,” Milei said in a nationally televised address, referring to the British-controlled South Atlantic islands, which Argentina calls Las Malvinas.

Milei said Argentina would not “stand idly by” as British-linked companies pursue oil projects around the islands. He also announced tougher sanctions on firms involved in Falklands oil exploration.

Milei Targets Falklands Oil Project

The renewed dispute comes after Argentine war veterans

and environmental lawyers filed a lawsuit on Tuesday seeking to halt an oil project backed by British company Rockhopper and Israeli firm Navitas in waters north of the islands.

Milei said the project breached a United Nations resolution urging both Argentina and Britain to avoid unilateral actions while the sovereignty dispute remains unresolved.

“We will not allow it,” Milei said. “If we allow it, we will be creating an incentive for the British government to deepen the occupation of the islands and the exploitation of our resources.”

Argentina and Britain fought a 74-day war over the Falklands in 1982 after Argentine forces occupied the islands. Britain regained control, but Buenos Aires has continued to press its sovereignty claim.

Trump Questions US Position

Milei’s remarks came after Trump raised fresh questions about Washington’s long-standing stance on the dispute.

Asked by GB News on Thursday whether the US would support Britain if Argentina again challenged British control, Trump recalled the 1982 conflict but stopped short of offering a clear commitment to London.

Trump also pointed to Britain’s refusal to provide military support during the ongoing US war with Iran, saying: “Your country was not there to help me.”

Earlier this week, Trump had said Washington was reviewing its position on the Falklands. “I always review every position. That’s just one of many,” he told reporters at the Oval Office on Monday.

The remarks have added uncertainty to Washington’s approach. The US has traditionally recognised British administration of the islands while maintaining neutrality on the competing sovereignty claims.

For Milei, the renewed attention comes at a politically difficult time, with his approval ratings reportedly falling to around 34% just over a year before Argentina’s next presidential election.

(With inputs from AFP)