Argentina is set to file criminal charges against several Israeli companies, including Navitas Petroleum Development & Production Ltd and Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas Ltd, for operating without authorization in the Falkland Islands, which Argentina claims as its own territory. The complaint targets 5 companies, their executives, and representatives, alleging they have been exploiting hydrocarbons in the North Malvinas Basin with licenses granted by the UK government, which Buenos Aires considers illegitimate. This is not the first time Argentina has taken action against oil activity in the area, but it comes as Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir calls on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recognize Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and impose sanctions on the UK. The Sea Lion project, operated by Navitas and British company Rockhopper, is expected to start production in 2028 with a $1.808 billion investment.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Argentina's President Javier Milei has reignited a decades-old dispute over the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory claimed by Argentina. In a televised address, Milei said "winds of change" were favourable to Argentina's claim, citing a statement from US President Donald Trump that the US is reviewing its neutral position on the islands.
Milei warned that if Argentina did not act swiftly, oil companies operating in the area would have the capacity to access the islands' resources. He specifically mentioned the Sea Lion oilfield, which is set to start extracting 1.7 billion barrels of oil in the next 18 months**.
The dispute has sparked a diplomatic row between Britain and Argentina. British ministers have hit back at Milei's claims, insisting that the Falkland Islands are British and will remain so because of the Islanders' right of self-determination. The Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, said "the UK's position on the Falklands is unwavering", while Defence Secretary Wes Streeting described Milei's statement as telling more about Argentina's domestic politics than the Falkland Islands themselves.
The dispute has also highlighted tensions between Trump and Britain, with some analysts suggesting that Trump's comments may be motivated by a desire for revenge against Britain for not supporting him in his wars.
Written for “Falklands Dispute and Sanctions” on 2026-09-08,
grounded in this article and the 23 other(s) covering the same event.
Argentina is to file criminal charges against several companies linked to Israeli oil firm Navitas for operating without authorisation in the Falklands, as Milei steps up his offensive against the Sea Lion project with new sanctions and measures to bolster territorial defence.
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Milei → file → defence
The Argentine government announced on Monday that it will file a criminal complaint against several subsidiaries of the Israeli oil company Navitas for operating without authorisation in the Malvinas (Falkland Islands), which are administered by the United Kingdom but whose sovereignty is claimed by Argentina.
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sovereignty → announce → Argentina
The decision triggered an immediate reaction in Israel.
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decision → trigger → Israel
The Minister for National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recognise Argentine sovereignty over the Malvinas and to impose sanctions on the United Kingdom "for as long as the occupation continues", accusing London of seizing Argentine territory and oil resources.
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occupation → call → territory
According to the Argentine presidency, the complaint will target Navitas Petroleum Development & Production Ltd, Navitas Petroleum Atlantic United, Navitas Petroleum LP, JHI Associates Inc and Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas Ltd, as well as their executives and representatives.
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complaint → accord → executives
Argentina maintains that these companies "allegedly hold licences granted by the illegitimate government of the United Kingdom" to explore and exploit hydrocarbons in the North Malvinas Basin, in violation of Argentine law.
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companies → maintain → law
The case also targets directors, managers, statutory auditors and any representatives who have taken part in the project.
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who → target → project
This is not the first time Buenos Aires has taken action over oil activity in the area.
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Aires → take → area
Argentina had already declared these operations illegal in 2012 and filed a similar complaint in 2015.
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operations → declare → 2015
In 2022 it sanctioned Navitas directly and, in December 2025, Javier Milei's government formally rejected investors' announcement they will pour €1.808 billion into the project to start production.
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they → sanction → production
Sea Lion, the oilfield at the heart of the dispute
Navitas operates and controls 65% of the Sea Lion project, located around 220 kilometres north of the Falkland Islands, in waters disputed by Argentina and the United Kingdom.
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Navitas → operate → Argentina
Its partner is the British company Rockhopper, which owns the remaining 35%.
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which → own → %
The project is in the development phase and is expected to start pumping crude oil in March 2028.
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project → expect → March
The two companies had already responded to the measures announced by Argentina before the criminal complaint was submitted.
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complaint → respond → Argentina
Following Milei's speech last Thursday, they issued a joint statement insisting that they operate under licences "legally granted" by the islands' government and with "the full and ongoing support" of the United Kingdom.
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they → follow → Kingdom
The companies stressed that they do not expect the Argentine measures to delay the Sea Lion project timeline.
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measures → stress → timeline
Rockhopper's shares fell by more than 6% on the London Stock Exchange after the announcement.
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shares → fall → announcement
Ben Gvir urges Netanyahu to recognise Argentine sovereignty
The complaint against the subsidiaries of an Israeli oil company comes amid rising diplomatic tension between Israel and the United Kingdom.
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complaint → urge → Israel
Ben Gvir called on Netanyahu to recognise Argentine sovereignty over the territory and to adopt sanctions against London "for as long as the occupation continues".
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occupation → call → London
The Israeli minister accused the United Kingdom of seizing territory and oil resources that, he argued, belong to the Argentine people.
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he → accuse → people
Hours earlier, Israel's Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, had called for the expulsion of the British ambassador to Israel.
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Minister → call → Israel
The remarks come amid widening rifts between London and Tel Aviv over British policy towards Palestine.
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remarks → come → Palestine
For the moment, Ben Gvir's words do not amount to a change in Israel's official position on the islands' sovereignty.
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words → amount → sovereignty
Milei steps up his offensive
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Milei → step → offensive
President Javier Milei announced on Thursday that he intends to toughen sanctions on oil companies operating in the Falkland Islands under licences issued by the British territory.
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he → announce → territory
He also said he would send a bill to Congress that would extend sanctions to the suppliers of these companies and bar offenders from contracting with the Argentine state.
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that → say → state
That same day he confirmed that he will revive plans to build a naval base in Ushuaia, around 700 kilometres from the islands.
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he → confirm → islands
On Monday, Milei instructed Economy Minister Luis Caputo to give the project priority in the 2027 budget, which the government will send to Congress this month.
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government → instruct → Congress
"These measures are part of a comprehensive policy aimed at strengthening the Argentine state's ability to defend its territory, protect its natural resources and safeguard its strategic interests," the government said in a statement.
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government → aim → statement
