Arabic version: الأرجنتين تخطط لفرض عقوبات نفطية بسبب التنقيب قرب جزر فوكلاند
According to BBC News, Argentina’s President Javier Milei has said he will seek economic sanctions against energy companies planning oil exploration near the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory whose sovereignty remains disputed by Argentina and the UK.
In a national address from the presidential palace, surrounded by his cabinet, Milei said he would introduce a bill to parliament targeting firms involved in exploration projects Argentina considers unauthorised. He described the Sea Lion oilfield as a “clear and present danger” and said Argentina could not allow its development.
The Sea Lion field lies about 130 miles from the islands and is estimated to contain 1.7 billion barrels of oil. Britain’s Rockhopper Exploration and Israel’s Navitas Petroleum are due to begin extracting oil there within two years. Rockhopper has described the field as containing “highly marketable crude”, while Navitas has previously highlighted construction work including a dock, heliport and accommodation for oil workers.
It is not clear how extensively the proposed sanctions would be applied. Argentina already has a law allowing restrictions on oil companies involved in projects it regards as unauthorised around the islands. The UK government has reiterated that Falkland islanders “are British with a right to determine their own future”. In a 2013 referendum, 99.8% of voters chose to remain a British overseas territory, with three votes against.
Milei also announced plans for a naval base in Tierra del Fuego and said the United States was reassessing its historical position on the islands, which Argentina calls Las Malvinas. His comments followed remarks by Donald Trump suggesting the US could revise its neutral stance if the UK did not increase defence spending. The 1982 conflict over the islands lasted 74 days and killed 255 British military personnel, three islanders and 649 Argentine military personnel.
