Milei announced sanctions for British oil exploitation in the Falklands and a strategy to reinforce sovereignty

President Javier Milei delivered a national address this Thursday focused on the Malvinas issue, in which he reaffirmed the historic claim of Argentina's sovereignty over the islands belonging to national territory and announced a series of measures to strengthen the State's response to the unilateral exploitation of natural resources in the South Atlantic.

“The Malvinas are Argentine, by history and by right, there is no discussion about it,” the president stated at the beginning of his message. Milei recalled that the islands have been part of Argentine territory since the origins of the Nation and that in 1833 the United Kingdom illegally expelled national authorities and established a colonial situation that continues to this day.

The President also asserted that “the winds of change in the world are favorable to our claim for the Malvinas Islands” and emphasized the need to take advantage of the current international scenario to strengthen Argentina's position.

Milei warned about the advancement of the Sea Lion project

One of the main focuses of the speech was the British oil project Sea Lion, which plans to begin offshore exploitation in the Malvinas Islands area in the coming months without authorization from the Argentine Republic.

Milei recalled that for 50 years the United Nations has requested Argentina and the United Kingdom not to take unilateral actions while the sovereignty dispute remains unresolved, including the exploitation of natural resources.

“If we do not act firmly and swiftly today, in a few months they will have the material capacity to appropriate the oil reserves lying beneath our sea,” warned the head of State.

Furthermore, he stated that allowing the advancement of the project would create an incentive for the United Kingdom to deepen the illegal occupation of the islands and continue exploiting natural resources that belong to Argentina.

The Government will toughen sanctions

In light of this situation, Milei announced that he would seek to amend Law No. 26,659 to toughen sanctions and penalties against companies linked to unauthorized hydrocarbon exploitation.

The reform will also aim to expand certain penal and administrative consequences for companies that provide services to those engaged in such activities.

The Government also regulated a procedure for various State agencies to send information about possible violations to the Foreign Ministry, thus expediting the application of sanctions.

Additionally, sworn statements will be incorporated in hydrocarbon procedures and related to the RIGI, with the aim of ensuring compliance with current legislation.