Argentina's President, Javier Milei, announced on Thursday sanctions against companies exploiting natural resources in the Falkland Islands, as well as the construction of a military naval base in the Tierra del Fuego province, at one of the continental points closest to the archipelago. Milei stated that he will ban companies directly or indirectly involved in projects on the islands from operating in Argentine territory without Argentine authorization.
The decree to be signed provides for sanctions against companies operating in the Falklands, their shareholders, executives, and suppliers, and a bill will be sent to Parliament to harden penalties against these companies, which will not be able to operate in Argentine continental territory and may be subject to default judgments. Milei referred in particular to the project of the consortium formed by the Israeli company Navitas, with 65%, and the British company Rockhopper, with 35%, for crude oil extraction on the islands, under British occupation since 1833.
The Argentine President also announced the creation of a National Security Council for the protection of critical infrastructure and aerospace and maritime protection. Milei defended that "a poor country without Armed Forces can hardly advance effectively in its sovereign claims," considering that "protecting the South Atlantic is also a matter of national security."
Milei also referred to recent statements by United States President Donald Trump, who said he was willing to "review" Washington's position of neutrality in the dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom, stating that "the United States is considering this change of position because they know they have a trusted partner in Argentina." The Argentine President considered that the United Kingdom faces "multiple crises" and is "on a path of decline," while "Argentina's future is prosperous and will prevail."
