Argentine President Javier Milei has proposed a Hong Kong-style handover of the Falkland Islands to Argentina, citing the Sino-British Joint Declaration signed in 1984 as a precedent. In an interview with The Economist, Milei argued that Britain's handling of Hong Kong shows it is possible for territories to be transferred without a vote by their inhabitants. He warned that Argentina will impose sanctions on companies drilling for oil off the Falklands and stated that the islanders have no right to self-determination. Milei claimed that the Falkland Islands are rightfully Argentine territory, taken from them through history and right.
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Javier Milei has demanded a Hong Kong-style handover of the Falklands to Argentina as part of what he called a 'consensus solution'.
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he → see → what
The Argentine president insisted his countrymen 'do not believe in war' and would not 'start yelling like savages' about the contentious archipelago.
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countrymen → insist → archipelago
His remarks were published in an interview after his nationalistic TV speech overnight on Thursday, where he announced plans for a new military base in Tierra del Fuego - the part of Argentina closest to the Falklands.
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he → publish → Falklands
He also warned of sanctions that would stop companies drilling for oil off the Falklands, while insisting that the islanders have no right to self-determination.
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islanders → warn → determination
Mr Milei added that Britain is 'on a path of decline' with social, economic and immigration problems.
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Britain → add → problems
In his interview with The Economist, he cited the Sino-British Joint Declaration signed in 1984, which saw the United Kingdom eventually hand Hong Kong to China in 1997.
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Kingdom → cite → 1997
Controversially, Hong Kong citizens were never given a vote on the matter.
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citizens → give → matter
The Argentine president said: 'The UK did this with Hong Kong, so why not find the agreement so that sooner or later the islands return to Argentina?
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islands → say → Argentina
In a televised address overnight, President Javier Milei today ramped up tensions with the UK over the Falklands, warning sanctions will be imposed for offshore oil drilling
While Hong Kong became part of China's national territory, it was able to retain its own laws and political system for 50 years, which will end in 2047.
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which → televise → 2047
But China has been widely accused of violating the agreement with its authoritarian regime that suppresses political dissent and public protest.
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that → accuse → dissent
Mr Milei's interview took place before his TV address to the nation on Thursday, but was published afterwards.
In his sombre speech from the presidential palace in Buenos Aires, the firebrand leader, flanked by his cabinet, declared: 'The islands are ours, by history and by right, and they were taken from us.'
Mr Milei told his nation that Mr Trump was helping bring 'winds of change' favourable to his Falklands claim after the US President hinted he would not back Britain if Argentina invaded again because Sir Keir Starmer failed to support his war with Iran.
Andy Burnham has yet to comment but Defence Secretary Wes Streeting hit back by insisting Britain's commitment to the Falklands is 'absolute and unshakeable' amid ongoing concerns about the country's ability to defend the islands as it did in 1982.
It emerged on Thursday night that the Army is being forced to cancel training exercises in a bid to save £30million amid Labour's refusal to increase defence spending.
Mr Streeting said: 'Milei's statement overnight tells us more about domestic politics in Argentina than it does about the Falkland Islands.
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it → take → Islands
The Falklands are British because Falkland Islanders choose to be British.
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Islanders → choose → ?
Senior minister and Burnham ally Lucy Powell said Argentina's president was 'simply posturing' ahead of his country's elections.
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president → say → elections
But former Foreign Office chief Lord McDonald told the BBC that Labour should review Britain's Falklands policy and open diplomatic talks with Argentina over the islands' future, citing the cost of defending them and their distance from the UK.
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Labour → tell → UK
Mr Milei, who once praised Margaret Thatcher as one of 'the great leaders in the history of humanity', said last night that Argentina 'will prevail' in its bid to reclaim the Falklands because Britain is 'on a path of decline', beset by 'multiple crises' including social, economic and immigration problems.
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Britain → praise → problems
'In the world, the winds are blowing favourably for our claim right now.
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winds → blow → claim
President Trump announced that the US is re-evaluating its historic position regarding the Malvinas', he said.
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he → announce → Malvinas
The US has historically taken a neutral position on the Falklands, but Trump (pictured in 2025 with Milei) has hinted that they may review it.
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they → take → it
The men have become friends and allies
Mr Milei, who is a year away from an election and tanking in the polls, said Argentina needs to 'recover these islands' and would use 'all the tools of the state: diplomatic, economic, judicial and legal' to impede drilling in the Sea Lion oilfield, which holds 1.7 billion barrels of oil.
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which → become → oil
He did not mention military action, but announced his government would issue an immediate emergency decree to build a naval base on Tierra del Fuego, the Argentine coastline closest to the Falklands, which have been in British hands for centuries.
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which → mention → centuries
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch blamed Argentina's threats on the Government's plans to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
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Badenoch → blame → Mauritius
She said: 'Javier Milei claims to admire Margaret Thatcher, but forgets this lesson: Britain does not surrender to bullies.
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Britain → say → bullies
If he wants a stronger Argentina, he should build its economy, not threaten others.
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he → want → others
The madness of surrendering the Chagos Islands means other countries are now trying their luck.
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countries → surrender → luck
If we do not defend our own interests, whether on energy or territory, others will happily exploit that weakness.'
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others → defend → weakness
