Milei united in opposition to Falkland Islands oil proposal
Argentines are broadly in support of President Javier Milei’s?forceful campaign against oil drilling near Falkland Island, underlining the enduring resonance Argentina's claim to sovereignty over the British controlled archipelago.
Milei, in a televised speech on Thursday, said that he would submit a bill before Congress to strengthen sanctions against companies drilling and participating in other activities on the island which impact our natural resources.
Milei had previously preferred diplomacy to confrontation in the Falklands. Argentina has claimed sovereignty of the Falkland islands for almost two centuries. They lost a 1982 war with Britain. Britain declared on Friday that its position is "unwavering."
Argentina cannot block drilling directly because it does not administer these islands.
Mariana Hamicha (49), a Buenos Aires accountant, said Milei’s more aggressive stance showed that Argentina was standing up to its own interests.
Hamicha stated that "I believe taking a strong stand, particularly?regarding exploitation by foreign firms and the extraction of crude oil, is a good way to draw a line in sand."
Milei proposed also creating a "national security council" to coordinate policy across maritime and aerospace security, and pledged additional funding for a Naval Base in the southernmost Province of Tierra del Fuego. This is a strategic gateway into the Falkland Islands and Antarctica. The bill has yet to be given any further details by the government.
Juan Battaleme said, "What Milei realized is that this is the time to act," a former secretary for international affairs in defense under Milei.
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Navitas Petroleum is the majority owner of Sea?Lion, located north of Falkland Island. Rockhopper Exploration holds 35%. Both owners are closely connected to Israeli investors.
Both companies stated on Friday that they held valid petroleum licenses, and believed Milei's remarks would not affect the project. Both companies' shares fell dramatically on Friday.
Candela Mascetti is a researcher with the Escuela superior de Guerra, Buenos Aires. She said Milei's comments marked a significant shift for a President who has been criticized for failing to pay enough attention the Falklands question.
Mascetti stated, "I do not think that having a Naval Base implies a call to arms. But it's an attitude we had never seen before from Milei's Government in such a powerful way."
Low APPROVAL Rating
Falklands veterans and left-wing opponents have criticised Milei for calling Margaret Thatcher a "great leader" in the world, after her government had defeated Argentina during the war on the islands. Milei also stated that Argentina hoped islanders "would one day decide to vote for us," which critics said echoed Britain’s emphasis on residents' rights to self-determination.
According to a poll conducted by Zuban Cordoba and Associates in August, Milei's approval rating is 36.8%.
Benjamin Gedan is the director of Stimson Center Latin America's Latin America Program in the U.S.
Milei's political opponents have also welcomed the announcement made on Thursday, but criticised him for not acting more aggressively earlier.
Juan Grabois is a prominent leftist 'leader' who said on X that Milei's 180 degree turn was welcome. He 'went from being a 'colonized fool' to reclaiming Argentina’s historical stance.
Guillermo Carmona - who oversaw Argentina’s policy in regards to its claim to the Falklands during the previous center left government - said Milei’s measures were positive but not sufficient given Argentina’s close diplomatic relations with Israel.
He said that "Milei must pressure the Israeli government."
Israeli officials have not responded to a comment request on Milei’s proposed sanctions.
(source: Reuters)
