Falklands Oil Dispute
UK Rejects Argentina Ultimatum and Vows to Defend Falklands Oil Project
Anonymous
Argentina’s President Javier Milei has given the UK two weeks to halt the Sea Lion oil project near the Falkland Islands, threatening arbitration and an appeal to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Buenos Aires rejects the British-issued licences, saying the project violates Argentina’s sovereignty claim and international resolutions; the UK and the companies involved maintain that exploration is lawful. Argentina has also pursued sanctions and criminal complaints against oil firms, while Britain has rejected the complaints and reaffirmed its commitment to defend the islands. UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Britain could protect the territory, as reports of a temporary withdrawal of an RAF refuelling aircraft raised concerns among critics about military readiness. The tensions unfold against the unresolved sovereignty dispute and the 1982 war, which killed hundreds.
Key Points
1
Sea Lion is a US$2.1 billion project, and Argentina has filed three criminal complaints against 10 companies and issued 180 warnings. Because it cannot enforce rulings in the islands, Argentina is targeting companies with business interests in Argentina.
2
The Sea Lion field is about 220 kilometres from the islands and is being developed by Israel’s Navitas and Britain’s Rockhopper, which say their exploration licences are valid.
3
Argentina says the project breaches a UN resolution calling on both sides to refrain from unilateral actions in the islands while the sovereignty dispute remains unresolved.
4
The RAF Voyager tanker was redeployed to Cyprus to help refuel Saudi aircraft fighting Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen; Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the deployment would last weeks, rather than days.
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