Argentina to investigate oil projects around Falklands

Buenos Aires: Argentina announced investigations into oil projects around the Falkland Islands after President Javier Milei said the "winds of change" favored his country's claim to the archipelago.

Britain and Argentina fought a 10-week war in 1982 over the South Atlantic islands, a British overseas territory that Argentines call Las Malvinas.

Argentina's presidency said in a statement Friday that it had ordered the opening of proceedings against 45 entities to "investigate and penalize" activities "linked to the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons" around the Falklands.


The statement did not name the entities involved. According to Argentine media, they include British, US, Canadian, Israeli, Danish and Dutch companies.

The announcement came a day after a speech by Milei, renewing claims to the Falklands and announcing tougher sanctions on companies linked to oil projects near the islands.

Milei's speech followed comments from US President Donald Trump on Monday that the United States was reviewing its position on the issue.

According to media reports, Washington is threatening to oppose Britain's sovereignty in the region if it does not increase defense spending.

"There are winds of change in the world that are favorable to our claim," Milei said in Thursday's speech, alluding to Trump's threat to withdraw support for Britain's sovereignty.

British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting responded by asserting Britain's "unshakeable" commitment to the Falklands.

"The Falklands are British because Falkland Islanders choose to be British," he said in a social media post Friday.