Malvinas Assembly Responds to Milei’s Speech

The Falkland Islands’ Legislative Assembly has answered Javier Milei’s latest challenge by insisting that the islands’ future belongs to the people who live there.

The statement followed a televised address in which Argentina’s president described the residents as an “implanted population in an usurped territory.” Issued on behalf of the entire legislative body, without individual signatures, it says the islands are a self-governing British Overseas Territory and that their political future must be decided locally.

The assembly pointed to the 2013 referendum, when 92% of eligible voters took part and 99.8% supported maintaining the islands’ existing political status. It said self-determination rests on international law and cannot be changed by statements from any government.

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The islands are a self-governing British Overseas Territory and our future is a matter for the people who live here to decide.

“Declarations such as those made this week are not new to us,” the statement said. It added that the long-established community had faced similar pressure many times over the decades, yet the islands had continued to grow, develop and prosper.

The assembly also highlighted support from the British government, including Downing Street, ministers and lawmakers. The statement did not address sanctions announced against oil companies or the Sea Lion project. Its focus remained on defending the position that the islands’ residents have the right to self-determination.

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Declarations such as those made this week are not new to us.