Argentina is preparing new legal complaints against companies exploring for oil near the Falkland Islands, escalating President Javier Milei’s campaign against businesses operating in the British overseas territory.
Government spokesman Adrian Ravier said on Tuesday that further complaints would be filed against firms working in the islands, but did not identify them.
The move is expected to form part of legislation being prepared by Mr Milei’s government to strengthen sanctions against companies operating in the Falklands, which Argentina calls Las Malvinas.
Argentina has already taken legal action against Navitas Petroleum over exploration of the Sea Lion oil project in the North Falkland basin. It has also launched proceedings against Canadian company Eco Atlantic, which holds a licence to explore near the field.
A presidential statement said the licences were granted by “the illegitimate government of the United Kingdom”. Argentina’s federal prosecutor has also reportedly requested an investigation into executives and shareholders of Navitas and Britain’s Rockhopper Exploration.
Under an Argentine law passed in 2011, companies could face up to 20 years’ disqualification from operating in the country, while individuals could face prison sentences of up to 15 years for exploring Argentina’s continental shelf without authorisation.
Navitas did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while Rockhopper declined to comment. Both companies have previously said the project is covered by valid licences issued by the Falkland Islands government and indicated that they did not expect Argentina’s actions to stop its development.
UK rejects Argentina’s jurisdiction over Falkland Islands businesses
Britain sought to reassure companies working in the Falkland Islands by saying it supported legitimate economic activity and the islanders’ right to regulate their economy and develop natural resources, including hydrocarbons.
The UK Government said Argentina had no right to exercise jurisdiction over the islands or apply its domestic law there, or to companies and individuals involved in business connected with the territory.
It added that there was no legal basis for courts outside Argentina to enforce measures taken against those businesses.
Mr Milei revived Argentina’s long-standing sovereignty claim earlier this month, describing the dispute as a matter of national identity and saying the “winds of change” favoured Buenos Aires’s position.
The issue has remained unresolved since the 1982 conflict, which ended in an Argentine surrender after 74 days and left 649 Argentine and 255 British troops dead.
US President Donald Trump has said he may reconsider American support for Britain’s sovereignty over the Falklands and told British media that he would “settle” the dispute between Argentina and the UK.
