ARGENTINA’S President has vowed to “recover” the Falkland Islands, warning “there is no other path forward”.
In his claim to the contested territory, Javier Milei declared the UK was facing “multiple crises” that are “unlikely to be resolved” while “Argentina’s future is flourishing and will prevail”.
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In a fiery televised speech, Milei insisted the islands are “nationally relevant” and a crucial part of Argentina’s “future”.
The Argentinian leader declared he will sign a decree to sanction any oil companies working off the islands, “under the British occupation”.
His bold remarks come after Donald Trump suggested he would not back the UK if Argentina invaded the archipelago, citing the lack of support in the war on Iran.
The US President, an ally of Milei, said: “I was there when they had the first war, that was a long time ago…
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“You comported yourself very well, took it back very shortly. But it is a long way away.
“So, your country’s not doing well. Don’t forget you get a big percentage of your oil from the Strait of Hormuz and you weren’t there to help me.”
The islands, in the south-west Atlantic Ocean, are the subject of a major dispute between Britain and Argentina.
The two countries waged a brief but bitter war over the territory in 1982, in which 907 people were killed – 649 Argentine soldiers, 255 British troops, and three civilians.
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In 2013, residents voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a British Overseas Territory.
Of 1,517 votes cast in the referendum, 1,513 were in favour and only three against.
The US has formally recognised the UK’s de facto administration of the islands but has not taken a formal position on sovereignty.
Referring to Trump’s latest stance, Milei said: “The US is considering this change of position because it knows that Argentina has a reliable partner, aligned with western values, in a strategically important position that can be a valuable ally in the decades to come.”
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In another swipe to the UK, the right-wing leader claimed the UK “failed to heed” the call of the United Nations to not take “unilateral actions” on the island.
He said: “For more than 50 years, the United Nations have been calling Argentina and the United Kingdom not to undertake unilateral actions on the territory of the islands until the dispute is resolved, including the use of its national resources.
“However, the United Kingdom has systematically failed to heed that call.”
The Sea Lion project – an oilfield off the coast of the Falklands owned by an Israeli and a British firm – is due to begin in the months, Milei said.
He added: “If we do not act swiftly in a few months, they will have the material capacity to access the oil that lies underneath our sea.
“Something that has never happened before.
“That means that our national claim is facing a clear and present danger, and requires a proportional response. We will not allow it.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed that he will honour Sir Keir Starmer‘s commitment to spend 3.5% of UK GDP on core defence by 2035.
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But the US has called for further investment and slammed NATO for being a “paper tiger” and previously hinted at leaving the alliance altogether.
One of the bombshell options aimed at pressuring the UK included the Falklands.
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