Milei finds unity in pushback against Falkland Islands oil project
BUENOS AIRES, Sept 5 -
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Milei → find → project
Argentines have broadly backed President Javier Milei’s forceful push against oil drilling near the Falkland Islands, underscoring the enduring resonance of Argentina's sovereignty claim over the British-controlled archipelago.
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Argentines → back → archipelago
In a televised address on Thursday, Milei said he would submit a bill to Congress to toughen sanctions against companies drilling and participating in "other activities on the islands that impact our natural resources.
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that → televise → resources
Milei previously favored diplomacy over confrontation on the Falklands.
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Milei → favor → Falklands
Argentina has claimed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands for nearly two centuries and lost a war with Britain over them in 1982.
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Argentina → claim → 1982
Britain said on Friday its position was "unwavering."
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position → say → Friday
Because Argentina does not administer the islands, it cannot directly block drilling there.
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it → administer → drilling
In Buenos Aires, Mariana Hamicha, a 49-year-old accountant, said Milei's tougher stance signaled Argentina was standing up for its interests.
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Argentina → say → interests
"I think taking a firm stand, especially regarding the exploitation by foreign companies and the extraction of oil, can be a way of drawing a line in the sand," Hamicha said.
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Hamicha → think → sand
Milei also proposed creating a national security council to coordinate across aerospace and maritime security policy, and pledged more funding for a naval base in the southernmost province of Tierra del Fuego, a strategic gateway to the Falkland Islands and Antarctica.
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Milei → propose → Islands
The government has not provided further details on the bill.
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government → provide → bill
“What Milei understood is, this is the moment to act,” said Juan Battaleme, a former secretary of international affairs for defense under Milei.
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Battaleme → understand → Milei
U.S. MAY REVIEW STANCE:
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U.S. → review → STANCE
TRUMP
Milei's speech came days after President Donald Trump suggested the U.S. could reconsider its neutral stance, citing frustration with Britain's limited support for U.S.-led military operations in the Middle East.
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U.S. → come → East
The Sea Lion oilfield north of the Falkland Islands is operated by majority owner Navitas Petroleum, with Rockhopper Exploration owning 35%.
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Exploration → operate → %
The two owners have strong ties to Israeli investors.
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owners → have → investors
The companies said on Friday they had valid petroleum licenses and did not think Milei's comments would affect the project.
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comments → say → project
Shares of both companies fell sharply on Friday.
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Shares → fall → Friday
Candela Mascetti, a researcher at the Escuela Superior de Guerra in Buenos Aires, said Milei's remarks marked a notable shift for a president often criticized for not giving enough attention to the Falklands issue.
“I don’t think having a naval base implies a call to arms, but it’s a posture that we hadn’t seen from Milei’s government in such a strong way,” Mascetti said.
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Mascetti → say → way
Falklands War veterans and the left-wing opposition have criticized Milei for praising former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, whose government defeated Argentina in the war over the islands, as one of the world's "greatest leaders."
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government → criticize → leaders
He also said Argentina hoped islanders would "one day decide to vote for us," a comment critics said echoed Britain's emphasis on the residents' right to self-determination.
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critics → say → determination
Milei, expected to run for reelection in 2027, has a low approval rating of 36.8%, according to an August poll by Zuban Cordoba and Associates.
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Milei → expect → Cordoba
"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 adopting a harder line," said Benjamin Gedan, director of the U.S.-based Stimson Center's Latin America program.
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Gedan → give → program
Even some of his political opponents welcomed Thursday's announcement, while criticizing Milei for not taking aggressive action earlier.
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some → welcome → action
Juan Grabois, a prominent leftist leader, said on X: “Milei’s 180-degree turn is welcome; he went from being a colonized fool to reclaiming Argentina’s historical stance.”
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he → say → stance
Guillermo Carmona, who oversaw Argentina's policy regarding its claim to the Falklands under the previous center-left government, said Milei's measures were a positive step but insufficient given Argentina's close diplomatic ties to Israel.
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measures → oversee → Israel
"Milei has to pressure the Israeli government," he said.
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he → have → government
Israeli officials did not respond to a request for comment on Milei's proposed sanctions.
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officials → respond → sanctions
The Aporia
