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🇮🇪 Ireland /Elections & Politics

Milei announces sanctions over Falklands oil drilling

From RTÉ News · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

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  • President Javier Milei said Argentina would impose sanctions on companies working on oil production around the Falkland Islands.
  • He described the Sea Lion oilfield, jointly owned by Israeli and British companies, as a threat to Argentina's claim before production is expected to begin in 2028.
  • The announcement followed the US decision to review its position on the islands and came as Milei faces falling approval ratings ahead of a potential re-election campaign.

Javier Milei used a national address to revive Argentina's claim to the Falkland Islands and warn oil companies operating there that sanctions are coming. He said the islands belong to Argentina and rejected the islanders' right to self-determination.

I want to be quite clear with everybody. The Falklands are Argentinean. Historically and legally. There can be no argument. They are part of the Argentine territory.

· Javier MileiArgentina's president reiterated the country's sovereignty claim over the Falkland Islands.

Milei singled out the Sea Lion oilfield, owned by an Israeli firm and a British firm, as a “clear and present danger” to Argentina's claims. Production is expected to begin in 2028. He said Argentina needed to act quickly or the companies would soon have the material capacity to reach oil beneath the sea.

He also said he would sign decrees imposing sanctions on companies involved in oil production in the area. The announcement came after Donald Trump said the United States was reviewing its position on the Falkland Islands. Trump has criticized Britain's military support for the US war with Iran and declined to say whether Washington would back the UK in a future dispute with Argentina.

The islanders on their usurped territory do not have a legitimate right to self-determination and any argument on any such self-determination is invalid.

· Javier MileiMilei rejected the islanders' claim to self-determination.

Milei presented the US review as support for his government and its partnership with Washington. He said the United States was considering a change because Argentina had a reliable partner. Argentine international-relations analyst Tomas Mugica, however, told AFP that the Falklands issue served Trump's effort to pressure Britain over NATO funding and cooperation in the war in Iran.

If we do not act swiftly in a few months, they will have the material capacity to access the oil that lies underneath our sea.

· Javier MileiHe explained why he considered the Sea Lion oilfield an immediate threat to Argentina's claim.

Milei's address came as his approval ratings fell to about 34%, with just over a year remaining before he seeks re-election. He also announced plans for a naval base in Tierra del Fuego and said the United States was assessing its historical position on the islands.

The Falklands issue serves Trump's purpose of pressuring the United Kingdom to comply with his demands regarding NATO funding and cooperation in the war in Iran.

· Tomas MugicaThe Argentine international-relations analyst assessed the US review of its position.
About this summary

Originally published by RTÉ News. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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