Britain has said its commitment to the Falkland Islands is ‘absolute and unshakeable’ after Argentinian President Javier Milei said his country needed to take them back.

In a national address, Mr Milei reiterated the country’s claim to the islands and said he would impose sanctions on any oil companies operating in the area.

The renewed tensions over the British overseas territory came after President Donald Trump hinted the US would not help the UK in a future Falklands conflict.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting wrote on social media: ‘Milei’s statement overnight tells us more about domestic politics in Argentina than it does about the Falkland Islands. The Falklands are British because Falkland Islanders choose to be British. Our commitment to the Falklands is absolute and unshakeable.’

A brief history of what’s happening

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In a 2013 referendum, the Falkland Islanders voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory, with 99.8% voting in favour and just three votes against.

Although the US is formally neutral, Washington provided support for Britain’s campaign to retake the islands after the Argentinian invasion in 1982.

It sparked the Falklands War, which saw 255 British service deaths in just over 70 bloody days. It also led to the deaths of 655 Argentinians and three Falkland Islanders.

What is Argentina saying?

In his speech, Mr Milei said: ‘I want to be quite clear with everybody. The Falklands are Argentinian. Historically and legally. There can be no argument. They are part of the Argentine territory.

‘The islanders on their usurped territory do not have a legitimate right to self-determination, and any argument on any such self-determination is invalid.’

He said the UK was facing ‘multiple crises on multiple fronts’ and said he would sign decrees to introduce sanctions against any companies working on oil production in the area.

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.’

Does the UK have the power to defend the Falklands today?

Short answer – yes.

After the Falklands War ended, the UK built RAF Mount Pleasant south of the Falklands’ capital.

There are nearly 1,500 military personnel stationed on the Falklands at any given time, and the station has a detachment for small fighter jets, as well as a patrol ship.

Argentina, even with its mounting threats, doesn’t have the military power to take over the territory. Its flailing economy also poses issues if Milei were to choose military options.

Naval Technology notes that currently, the Royal Navy has no nuclear attack submarines at sea.

The UK would likely turn to the Royal Air Force if required to protect the overseas territory.

Why is Trump involved?

The US president on Thursday suggested he would not back the UK in a fight over the territory.

Asked in an interview if he would ‘come to the aid’ of the UK, the US president told GB News: ‘Well look, I was there when they had the first war.
That was a long time ago, and I watched it so carefully, and you comported yourselves very well.

‘You took it back pretty strongly, but it’s a long way away. That’s a big trip; it’s a long way.’

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