Milei announces sanctions on oil companies operating in the Falklands

Javier Milei has announced tougher sanctions against foreign companies involved in hydrocarbon exploration in the Falkland Islands, saying the Sea Lion oil project could begin operating in the coming months.

The project is operated by Israel’s Navitas Petroleum and Britain’s Rockhopper Exploration. Argentina and the United Kingdom dispute sovereignty over the islands, and Milei used a nationally televised address to restate Argentina’s claim. “The Falklands are Argentine by history and by right,” he said.

Milei also rejected what he described as the islanders’ right to self-determination, saying they were an implanted population in occupied territory. His comments set out the government’s position as the oil project approaches possible operations.

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The Falklands are Argentine by history and by right.

The president said he would increase Defense Ministry resources to support construction of an Integrated Naval Base in Tierra del Fuego. The facility is intended to strengthen Argentina’s military, logistical and telecommunications capabilities in the South Atlantic.

He also said the government would send Congress a National Sovereignty Defense bill. The proposal would create a National Security Council and provide new economic and diplomatic tools to respond to actors the government considers threats to Argentina’s security.

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They do not have a legitimate right to self-determination.