Argentina
The Government sent a bill to the Chamber of Deputies to expand sanctions for the exploitation of resources in the Falklands
The initiative provides for prison terms of up to 20 years for unauthorized activities and seeks to replace the regime in force since 2011. It also proposes creating a National Security System under presidential leadership.
The national government sent to the Chamber of Deputies a National Sovereignty Defense bill that toughens sanctions against individuals and companies that exploit natural resources without Argentine authorization in the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime and insular areas.
According to ElDiarioAR, the initiative was signed by President Javier Milei, Chief of Staff Diego Santilli, and ministers Pablo Quirno, Carlos Presti and Luis Caputo. The text seeks to replace Law 26,659, in force since 2011, which focused on hydrocarbon activities, with a broader scheme covering renewable and nonrenewable resources.
The bill establishes fines equivalent to between 4,000 and 500,000 barrels of oil, in addition to suspension or cancellation of permits and disqualifications of between five and 20 years. For cases of exploration or exploitation of nonrenewable resources, it provides prison terms of 12 to 20 years. If it involves extraction, transport or storage of hydrocarbons without Argentine authorization, the penalty rises to between 15 and 20 years, with fines of up to the equivalent of 3 million barrels of oil.
Suppliers of essential goods or services who know the destination of those activities would also be covered. In those cases, the penalties provided are five to seven years in prison. The companies involved could face revocation of licenses, suspension of activities for up to 30 years, inability to contract with the state and, in certain cases, dissolution or liquidation.
According to Infobae, the initiative also provides that sanctioned companies may not carry out economic activities in the country during the period of disqualification and that they lose permits, state benefits and contracts with total or partial execution in Argentine territory. The same outlet noted that a cessation period of between 30 and 180 days is contemplated, extendable depending on the situation of workers, creditors or third parties acting in good faith.
The bill incorporates a Regime of Withdrawal and Regularization for those who abandon those activities and meet economic or investment conditions in Argentina.
At the same time, the proposal creates a National Security System articulated by a National Security Council, headed by the President, with coordination functions in diplomatic, economic, legal, cyber, defense, intelligence and critical infrastructure protection matters. ElDiarioAR also indicated that the text regulates procedures for aircraft considered hostile and authorizes different measures against ships, from warnings and interception maneuvers to warning shots and disabling fire, while sinking would be reserved as an exceptional military measure with presidential authorization.
After sending the bill, Milei asked in a statement for its priority treatment in Congress.
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.
