Argentine President Javier Milei’s announcement that he would broaden sanctions on oil companies planning to drill near the Malvinas Islands and increase Argentina’s military presence in the South Atlantic drew mixed reactions in Argentina and the United Kingdom.

On Thursday night, Milei addressed the nation in a message that marked a substantial shift from his previous positions regarding the sovereignty claim over Malvinas. 

He aligned himself with Argentina’s historic position, saying that islanders do not have a right to self-determination as an implanted population. Till now, he had said Argentina needed to work so that islanders would want to become Argentine.

Criticism in Argentina

Members of the Argentine opposition questioned Milei’s announcements, noting that they largely concern measures already covered by existing laws — a 2011 act, for example, already establishes sanctions for companies that engage in hydrocarbon exploration or drilling on territory Argentina claims as its own without the country’s authorization — while construction of a naval base in Tierra del Fuego had already begun in 2022.

British Rockhopper Exploration and Israeli Navitas Petroleum were sanctioned in 2013 and 2022, respectively, for operating near the Malvinas Islands, which Argentina claims as its own as part of its continental platform. Now, Milei wants to broaden and accelerate sanctions.

Some critics also said the announcement came “too late” and that he is using it as a way to recover popularity ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Peronist Carlos Bianco, a government minister in Buenos Aires province, said Milei had failed to “comply with the law” in the time that........

© Buenos Aires Herald