The president of the United States, Donald Trump, has left open this Monday the possibility of reviewing Washington's position on British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, territory historically claimed by Argentina.
Trump has responded this way to a question from journalists in the Oval Office after several British media reported that his Administration would be studying withdrawing U.S. support for the United Kingdom's sovereignty over the archipelago as a pressure mechanism for London to increase its defense spending.
"I always review all positions. That is just one among many," Trump replied when directly asked about this possibility, according to EFE.
The response of the U.S. president does not imply an announcement of a change in policy, but it does leave open the review of a particularly sensitive issue for the United Kingdom and Argentina.
An historical issue between Argentina and the United Kingdom
The Falkland Islands have been under British administration since 1833, although Argentina maintains a claim of sovereignty over the archipelago. The dispute led to the Falklands War of 1982, when both countries faced each other for 74 days.
The conflict ended with a British military victory and the islands remaining under the administration of the United Kingdom. Since then, Buenos Aires has maintained its territorial claim and London argues that the inhabitants of the islands have the right to decide their own future.
The position of the United States on the dispute has traditionally been relevant due to its relationship with both the United Kingdom and Argentina. A potential change from Washington would therefore represent a movement of special diplomatic significance, although Trump has not confirmed that it will occur.