The Argentine Executive led by Javier Milei has communicated that it will present "new complaints" against companies and individuals that promote oil activities considered illegal in the vicinity of the Falkland Islands without the authorization of Buenos Aires.
"New complaints will be filed against companies that would be developing illegal exploration and exploitation activities of hydrocarbons in violation of law 26.659 which prohibits oil activity on the Argentine continental shelf without authorization. The judicial complaint filed last week will be expanded to include other companies," said the Government spokesperson, Adrian Ravier, during an appearance before the media.
Ravier added that Argentine authorities will continue "using all means at their disposal to sanction and prevent companies or individuals from developing activities that violate the rights and sovereignty of Argentina over the islands."
The Argentine newspaper 'Clarín' has reported that prosecutor Carlos Stornelli has charged this Tuesday executives and shareholders of the firms Navitas Petroleum, based in Israel, and Rockhopper Exploration, from the United Kingdom, for their alleged participation in the extraction of crude oil in waters near the Falklands.
This step comes after the office of President Javier Milei communicated last week, through an official note, that Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno would file a criminal complaint against the companies Navitas Petroleum Development & Production Ltd., Navitas Petroleum Atlantic United, Navitas Petroleum LP, JHI Associates Inc. and Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd.
"The filing of this complaint constitutes a concrete action to protect natural resources and safeguard the sovereignty of the Argentine Republic over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the corresponding maritime and insular spaces, as they are an integral part of the national territory," the statement released by the Presidency read.
Subsequently, the Argentine Government announced "the initiation of sanctioning procedures" against "15 additional subjects" who would have violated the restrictions set by Argentine legislation, which are added to "the procedures already initiated against another 45 subjects," without providing details about their identities.
For its part, the United Kingdom has stated in a note released this Tuesday that "it fully supports the right of the inhabitants of the Falkland Islands to regulate their economy and develop their natural resources, including hydrocarbons, for the benefit of their own economy," using the term with which London refers to the archipelago.
"The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory. The Government of the United Kingdom has no doubts about British sovereignty over the islands and the surrounding maritime areas. We will not debate sovereignty unless the inhabitants of the islands wish to do so," the British Executive has reiterated.
Possible mediation by the United States
The Foreign Minister, Pablo Quirno, has supported this same Tuesday the possibility of mediation by the U.S. president, Donald Trump, after the former president stated that the opposing parties would contact him and that "he will probably be able to resolve" the crisis.
"It is always good to have friends who generate a dialogue. We have historically been seeking dialogue with the United Kingdom, which has refused to have this against what have been the historical provisions of the United Nations. We want to sit at the table," Quirno has declared to reporters.
Milei, a close ally of Trump, has inaugurated a new stage in the dispute with the United Kingdom over the Malvinas by announcing sanctions aimed at companies and individuals that promote oil projects in the vicinity of the islands without the approval of Buenos Aires.
This diplomatic standoff has revived the memory of the ten-week war that confronted both countries in 1982 for control of the archipelago, a conflict that accelerated the fall of the military juntas in Argentina and consolidated Margaret Thatcher's leadership at the head of the British Government.