A POPULAR national park is twinning with one in Argentina — sparking fresh controversy over the Falklands.
Snowdonia in Wales will pair up with Los Alerces, 8,000 miles away in the Andes, at an event on September 26.
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It will mark 75 years since the land, known in Welsh as Eryri, was declared a national park.
Eryri’s Ioan Gwilym said the formal signing of the Los Alerces link will be “a really important part of the celebrations”.
But it comes as Argentine leader Javier Milei steps up his country’s claim to the Falklands, which were reclaimed by British forces in 1982.
Shadow cabinet office minister Mike Wood told The Sun on Sunday: “British troops – including from Wales – risked their lives taking back the Falklands from Argentina, and many died.
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“In light of Argentina making louder and louder claims to ownership of the Islands, it is strange that Snowdonia is set to be twinned with Los Alerces at this time.
“The area has historical links to Wales which should be recognised, but the more recent history of armed conflict between Britain and Argentina must be borne in mind at a time of diplomatic tension.”
Last week Milei said in a post on X that Argentina had a “historic claim” on the Falkland Islands, known as the Malvinas in his country.
He said the Malvinas, which have big offshore oil reserves, amounted to “vital interests of the nation”.
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After beating England 2-1 at the World Cup earlier this year, Argentina’s footballers unveiled a banner saying “The Malvinas are Argentine”.
In 2013 the territory held a referendum during which 99.8 per cent supported remaining British.
The 10-week conflict in 1982 led to the deaths of 655 Argentine and 255 British service personnel, as well as three civilians.
In 2009 the seaside community of Aberystwyth twinned with the Argentine town of Esquel in Patagonia.
Eryri National Park was previously twinned with Triglav National park in Slovenia in 1993.