Milei finds unity in pushback against Falkland Islands oil project

According to a Sept. 5 Reuters report from Buenos Aires, Argentines have largely rallied behind President Javier Milei’s vigorous opposition to oil drilling near the Falkland Islands, underscoring how powerfully Argentina’s sovereignty claim over the British-controlled archipelago still resonates.

In a televised address on Thursday, Milei said he would send a bill to Congress to impose tougher sanctions on companies that drill or engage in “other activities on the islands that impact our natural resources.”

Milei previously favored diplomacy over confrontation on the Falklands. Argentina has claimed sovereignty over the islands for almost two centuries, and it lost a war with Britain over them in 1982. Britain said on Friday that its position was “unwavering.”

With Argentina not administering the islands, it has no ability to directly stop drilling off the Falklands.

In the capital, 49-year-old accountant Mariana Hamicha said Milei’s tougher approach reflected a new determination by Argentina to defend its own interests.

“I believe taking a firm stand, particularly with respect to exploitation by foreign companies and oil extraction, is a way of drawing a line in the sand,” Hamicha said.

Milei additionally announced plans for a national security council to coordinate aerospace and maritime security policy, and he pledged increased funding for a naval base in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina’s southernmost province and a strategic gateway to the Falkland Islands and Antarctica. The government has not yet provided further details on the bill.

“What Milei understood is that this is the moment to act,” said Juan Battaleme, who previously served as Milei’s secretary of international affairs for defense.

Trump signals that the U.S. may reconsider its stance.

Milei’s speech came just days after U.S. President Donald Trump floated the idea that Washington might revisit its neutral position, citing frustration with Britain’s limited support for U.S.-led military operations in the Middle East.

Operated by majority owner Navitas Petroleum, the Sea Lion oilfield sits north of the Falkland Islands; Rockhopper Exploration holds a 35% stake. Both companies have strong ties to Israeli investors.

On Friday, the companies stated that their petroleum licenses are valid and they did not expect Milei’s comments to affect the project. Shares of both companies fell sharply that day.

Candela Mascetti, a researcher at Buenos Aires’ Escuela Superior de Guerra, said Milei’s remarks represented a clear shift for a leader often accused of not paying enough attention to the Falklands issue.

“I don’t see building a naval base as a call to arms, but it is a posture we hadn’t seen from Milei’s government in such a forceful way,” Mascetti said.

Falklands War veterans and the left-wing opposition have criticized Milei for hailing former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher—whose government led the UK to victory in the 1982 war—as one of the world’s “greatest leaders.” He also voiced hope that islanders would “one day decide to vote for us,” a remark that critics say aligns with Britain’s emphasis on the residents’ right to self-determination.

Milei, who is expected to seek another term in 2027, holds a low approval rating of 36.8%, according to an August poll by Zuban Cordoba and Associates.

“Given Milei’s poll numbers—and Trump’s hints that he is reconsidering the U.S. position on the dispute—it makes sense that Milei is taking a harder line,” said Benjamin Gedan, director of the Latin America program at the U.S.-based Stimson Center.

Even some of Milei’s political opponents welcomed Thursday’s announcement while criticizing him for not having taken aggressive action earlier.

Prominent left-wing leader Juan Grabois posted on X: “Milei’s 180-degree turn is welcome; he went from being a colonized fool to reclaiming Argentina’s historical stance.”

Guillermo Carmona, who managed Argentina’s Falklands policy under the previous center-left government, described Milei’s measures as a positive step but said they were insufficient given Argentina’s close diplomatic ties to Israel.

He added: “Milei has to pressure the Israeli government.”

Israeli officials did not respond to a request for comment about Milei’s proposed sanctions.