Argentina’s Trump-friendly president renews claim to the Falkland Islands

Javier Milei has declared that the Falkland Islands belong to Argentina, reviving one of the country’s most enduring territorial claims in a speech to the nation.

“The Falkland Islands are Argentine. Historically and legally. There can be no discussion,” Milei said, according to Sky News. He called the islands part of Argentine territory and said they represented the country’s future and national importance.

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The Falkland Islands are Argentine. Historically and legally. There can be no discussion. They are part of Argentine territory.

The islands lie off Argentina’s coast in South America but remain a British overseas territory. Britain has administered them since 1833. Argentina’s earlier claims led to the Falklands War with the United Kingdom in 1982.

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The Falkland Islands are our future. We need to get these islands back, because they are of national importance. There is no other way forward.

Milei said “winds of change” were now favorable to Argentina’s position. He referred to reports that the United States was reconsidering its neutrality in the dispute between Argentina and Britain. Those reports followed a leaked email from the US Defense Department that allegedly described a possible review of Washington’s position. A US administration official told Reuters that the internal Pentagon email was intended to outline a possible effort to punish Britain over its lack of support for the US war against Iran.

Asked on Monday whether the United States was reviewing its position, Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office: “I am always reconsidering any position. It is just one of many.” Milei and Trump maintain a close political relationship, and the Argentine president is often described as “Argentina’s Donald Trump.”

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I am always reconsidering any position. It is just one of many.