Argentine Official Accuses British Minister of Lying Over Falklands History

A senior official in Argentine President Javier Milei's government has directly challenged a statement by a British minister regarding the Falkland Islands, accusing London of historical misrepresentation. The exchange highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding the sovereignty of the South Atlantic archipelago.

“

They lie even about this.

Alejandro Álvarez, Argentina's Undersecretary for University Policies, responded to a post by British Foreign Minister Uma Kumaran. Kumaran had commemorated the anniversary of John Davis's 1592 sighting of the islands, a date celebrated in the UK as Falklands Day. She affirmed Britain's support for the islanders' right to self-determination.

“

Even serious British historians totally dismiss it, let's see how the events unfolded.

Álvarez, however, dismissed Kumaran's claim as false, stating, "They lie even about this." He presented a counter-narrative, citing historical accounts that he argues predate the British claim. Álvarez pointed to a possible sighting by Amerigo Vespucci in 1502, though he noted its disputed nature. He also referenced an anonymous Portuguese expedition between 1518-1519 and an expedition led by Esteban Gómez in 1520, supported by Spanish cartography. Further expeditions by Alonso de Camargo (1540) and the first Dutch sighting by Sebald de Weert (1600) were also mentioned, all of which Álvarez contends appeared on maps before Davis's alleged discovery.

“

Today we celebrate the pride and community spirit of the islanders. We will always support their right to determine their own future.