Argentina’s President Javier Milei criticised the United Nations on Wednesday for what he described as looking “the other way” as tensions with Britain escalate over oil exploration around the Falkland Islands.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Milei repeated Argentina’s claim to sovereignty over the islands, which are a British overseas territory, and said their inhabitants did not have the right to self-determination. He called for negotiations with the United Kingdom to find a peaceful solution to the long-running dispute.
“We’re choosing a pacific, practical and effective defence,” Milei said.
Argentina this month began sanction proceedings against more than 60 companies and individuals linked to an offshore oil drilling project near the islands. Britain has rejected the move.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Tuesday that the government would stand firm, adding that it would defend the right of Falkland Islanders to self-determination and to remain British.
Milei is due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday. The Falklands oil project has links to Israeli investors.
Argentina’s claim to the South Atlantic islands, which it calls the Malvinas, remains a central issue of national identity.
Argentina invaded the islands in 1982, triggering a 10-week war that ended with its surrender to Britain. The conflict remains commemorated in Argentina, including through street murals honouring soldiers who died.
Milei has said the oil project violates a 1976 UN General Assembly resolution calling on Argentina and Britain to resolve the sovereignty dispute through negotiations and avoid unilateral actions.
Milei’s latest remarks came days after U.S. President Donald Trump, an ally of Milei, suggested Washington could reconsider its traditionally neutral position on the dispute.
Milei’s tougher stance represents a shift from his earlier focus on diplomacy over the Falklands issue. His political opponents have accused him of using the dispute to strengthen domestic support.
“It’s simply something to look good in the eyes of society or to try to shift the agenda,” said Guillermo Michel, a Peronist opposition congressman.
A study by Buenos Aires-based consultancy Inteligencia Analitica found that Milei’s televised address produced only a modest improvement in his public image.
“The Malvinas issue in Argentina transcends the president’s speech,” said Marcelo Escolar, the consultancy’s director.
Last week, Milei presented a bill to strengthen sanctions against those deemed to be unlawfully exploiting natural resources in Argentina’s maritime areas and continental shelf.
The bill will first go to committee as the government considers its legislative priorities.
Milei does not have a majority in Congress but has secured support for several major economic reforms. Marcelo Seghini, a defence adviser in the lower house, said some elements of the sovereignty bill could attract bipartisan support, while other provisions could face opposition.
Navitas Petroleum and Rockhopper Exploration, which own the Sea Lion offshore project, have said they do not expect Milei’s actions to derail its development.
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