Argentina threatens Falklands oil sanctions; UK reaffirms sovereignty

Argentine President Javier Milei has escalated a long-running territorial dispute with the United Kingdom, asserting in a national address that the Falkland Islands are "historically and legally" Argentine and threatening sanctions against oil companies operating in the region. The move prompted a firm response from British officials, who reaffirmed their commitment to the islands and the principle of self-determination for their residents. In a televised speech on Thursday night, Milei declared that the Falklands, which Argentina calls Las Malvinas, are part of Argentine territory and rejected the islanders' right to self-determination. He framed the Sea Lion oilfield, located about 130 miles from the islands and due to begin production in 2028, as a "clear and present danger" and announced plans to sign decrees speeding up sanctions against companies involved in unauthorized hydrocarbon extraction. The project is operated by a partnership between Britain's Rockhopper Exploration and Israel's Navitas Petroleum. Milei also announced funding for a new naval base in Tierra del Fuego and suggested that U.S.