Argentina
Argentina rejected a British guide to operating in Malvinas and announced more actions against companies
The Foreign Ministry questioned a United Kingdom document promoting business in the islands and reaffirmed that it will move ahead with measures against firms linked to the exploitation of resources without Argentine authorization.
The Argentine Foreign Ministry expressed this Tuesday its rejection of a guide issued by the government of the United Kingdom for companies and individuals seeking to develop commercial activities in the Malvinas Islands, supply goods and services, or participate directly or indirectly in the exploitation of natural resources in the archipelago.
According to the Argentine government, the British document, titled Doing business with the Falkland Islands, states that Argentine law does not apply in the islands and expresses support for companies operating there. It also indicates that firms receiving communications or warnings from Argentine authorities should seek independent legal advice, in addition to offering British support in cases of pressure in third countries.
In response to that publication, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its “strongest rejection” and stated that the United Kingdom is seeking to promote commercial and hydrocarbon activities that Argentina considers illegal in the Malvinas, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas. In that context, it reiterated Argentina’s position on the sovereignty of those territories, which it considers illegally occupied by London.
The official response was also linked to announcements by Rockhopper Exploration Plc and Navitas Petroleum Lp about the Sea Lion oil project in the North Malvinas Basin. The Foreign Ministry said it will deepen administrative, diplomatic and judicial measures to prevent hydrocarbon exploitation without Argentine authorization.
According to the official statement cited by Ámbito, after the so-called Final Investment Decision for the project, the government summoned the ambassadors of the United Kingdom and Israel to deliver formal protest notes. There it rejected the advance of Sea Lion, the licenses granted unilaterally, the calls to suppliers and the commercial incentives promoted by the United Kingdom.
The administration of Javier Milei said it will apply Laws 26,659 and 26,915, reinforced by Decree 868/2026, to companies, investors and suppliers involved in unauthorized hydrocarbon activities on the Argentine Continental Shelf. According to the Foreign Ministry, it has already sent nearly 180 warning notices and risk assumption notices to individuals and legal entities in 30 countries, 60 administrative proceedings have been initiated, and Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno filed three criminal complaints involving 10 companies and their executives.
The Argentine government also said that British actions contradict Resolution 31/49 of the United Nations General Assembly, which urges the parties not to introduce unilateral changes while a solution to the sovereignty dispute remains pending.
For its part, the British guide reaffirms London’s position that the islands are a British overseas territory and that the exploitation of their resources corresponds to the island authorities and the companies involved. It also invokes the principle of self-determination. According to La Nacion, the United Kingdom also said it will not discuss sovereignty unless the islanders wish it.
At the close of its statement, the Foreign Ministry reiterated its willingness to maintain dialogue with the United Kingdom to resume bilateral negotiations on sovereignty and warned companies and individuals operating commercially in the islands without Argentine authorization that the state will exhaust all available avenues to defend its sovereign rights.
Sources
About this note. Written by El Notero with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on what was published by the cited outlet. El Notero did not conduct its own reporting on this event.
