Argentinian president vows to toughen sanctions against companies exploiting Falklands oil

Argentine President Javier Milei announced a suite of stringent executive and legislative measures Thursday night aimed at blocking unauthorized offshore oil exploitation in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), declaring further resource extraction a direct violation of national security.

Surrounded by his full Cabinet during a televised national address, Milei reaffirmed Argentina's territorial claim, asserting that the islands belong to the South American nation "historically and legally."

"The islands have been part of Argentine territory since the origins of our nation," Milei said. "In 1833, the United Kingdom occupied the Falklands, expelled the Argentine authorities, and established a colonial situation that continues to this day." He added that the islanders "do not have a legitimate right to self-determination."

The president pointed specifically to the Sea Lion oil project, operated in the North Falklands Basin by British firm Rockhopper Exploration and Israel-based Navitas Petroleum, as an imminent threat.