‘Investigate, Penalize’: Argentina Probes Oil Projects Near Falklands As Milei Revives Claim

Argentina has announced investigations into oil projects around the Falkland Islands after President Javier Milei said the “winds of change” favoured his country’s claim to the archipelago.

Britain and Argentina fought a 10-week war in 1982 over the South Atlantic islands, which are a British overseas territory and are known as Las Malvinas in Argentina.

Argentina Orders Probe Into 45 Entities

Argentina’s presidency said in a statement on Friday that it had ordered proceedings against 45 entities to “investigate and penalize” activities “linked to the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons” around the Falkland Islands.

The statement did not name the entities involved. According to Argentine media, they include British, US, Canadian, Israeli,

Danish and Dutch companies.

The announcement came a day after Milei renewed Argentina’s claims to the Falkland Islands in a speech and announced tougher sanctions on companies linked to oil projects near the islands.

Milei Says ‘Winds Of Change’ Favour Argentina

Milei’s speech followed comments by US President Donald Trump on Monday that the United States was reviewing its position on the issue.

According to media reports, Washington is threatening to oppose Britain’s sovereignty in the region if it does not increase defence spending.

“There are winds of change in the world that are favorable to our claim,” Milei said in his speech on Thursday, alluding to Trump’s threat to withdraw support for Britain’s sovereignty.

Britain Reaffirms Commitment To Falklands

British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting responded by asserting Britain’s “unshakeable” commitment to the Falkland Islands.

“The Falklands are British because Falkland Islanders choose to be British,” he said in a social media post on Friday.