President Javier Millay of Argentina speaks at the Madrid Forum, a gathering of conservative leaders from Latin America, held in Santiago, Chile, on September 3, 2026.
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Argentina’s President Javier Millay has escalated the long-running dispute over the Falkland Islands, reasserting his country’s claim to the British overseas territory and threatening to impose sanctions on oil companies operating off the islands.
In a nationally televised speech, Millay said Argentina “needs to recover” the islands it calls Las Malvinas and called on the country to “not stand by” and “present a united front to the world,” according to Sky News.
Millais also announced plans to impose economic sanctions aimed at blocking the development of the Sealion oil project, a large offshore oil development about 220 kilometers (137 miles) north of the Falkland Islands.
The project, which is being jointly developed by Britain’s Rockhopper Exploration and Israel’s Navitas Petroleum, is targeted for first oil production in early 2028. Argentina views the project as illegal exploitation of resources in waters it claims as its territory.
CNBC has contacted Navitas Petroleum and is awaiting a response. Iwatobi Exploration declined to comment.
Milley’s comments came shortly after US President Donald Trump declined to say whether the US would support Britain in a future conflict with Argentina over the Falkland Islands. In an interview with GB News earlier this week, President Trump suggested that the US would not support Britain over the islands due to a perceived lack of support for the Iran war.
The US president has previously suggested that the US may revise its neutral position on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands if Britain fails to increase defense spending.
An Argentine flag with a map of the Falkland Islands and a sign that reads “Never Forget” hangs at the entrance to the Malvinas War Veterans Center where fans watch the 2026 World Cup soccer semi-final match between Argentina and England on television in Ushuaia, Argentina, July 15, 2026.
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Milay, who often casts herself as Trump’s ideological counterpart in Latin America, emphasized her close relationship with the president, saying in a speech that the White House is considering changing its position on the Falkland Islands because Argentina has shown it “could be a valuable ally for decades to come.”
“Absolute and unwavering”
Millay’s speech appeared to signal a significant change in tone from the Argentine president, who has so far prioritized diplomacy on the issue in a bid to improve relations with Britain.
British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said on Friday that Millais’ statement “says more about Argentina’s domestic politics than it does about the Falkland Islands.”
Mr Streeting added in a social media post: “Falkland Islanders are British because Falkland Islanders have chosen to be British. Our commitment to the Falkland Islands is absolute and unwavering.”
The Falkland Islands are located approximately 500 kilometers east of Argentina’s southern coast. Britain has controlled the islands since 1833. Argentina has long claimed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, and in 1982 fought a brief but bitter war with Britain over them.
