Argentina escalates legal push against Falklands oil exploration firms
The government announced on Tuesday that Argentina would file new legal 'complaints' against companies searching for oil near Falkland Island. This will intensify Buenos Aires’ campaign against businesses in the British oversea territory.
This move is part a larger push by the government of President Javier Milei, who is also preparing legislation to tighten sanctions on companies operating in Falklands. Analysts say that this could lead to greater tensions between Argentina and Britain if Buenos Aires focuses on other sectors of the Falklands' economy.
Clarin, an Argentinean newspaper, reported that a federal prosecution had requested to open an inquiry into the executives and'shareholders' of Israel's Navitas Oil and Britain's Rockhopper Exploration.
In a press briefing, Government spokesperson Adrian Ravier announced that new complaints will be filed against firms operating in Falklands. He did not identify the companies.
Milei's Government has previously targeted Navitas & Rockhopper, as Buenos Aires pursues their sovereignty claim over the island archipelago Argentina calls the Malvinas.
Navitas has not responded to our requests for comment. Rockhopper declined comment. Rockhopper declined to comment.
The office of federal prosecutor Carlos Stornelli did not respond immediately to a comment request.
The British government published a statement on its website on Tuesday to reassure businesses doing business in the Falkland islands. It said that it backed all legitimate economic activities in the Falkland Island and supported the Falkland Islanders' right to control their economy and develop natural resources including hydrocarbons.
In its guidance, Britain stated that Argentina had no jurisdiction to apply its law to the Falkland Islands nor to any businesses or individuals doing business on or in connection with the Islands.
The court added that there was no legal basis in Argentina for a court to impose sanctions against such businesses.
Argentina invaded these islands in 1982, and fought for 10 weeks over them before giving up to Britain.
(source: Reuters)
