Milei says global 'winds of change' back Argentina's Falklands claim
Argentina's President Javier Milei said in a televised address that international sentiment is shifting in favour of Argentina's sovereignty claim over the Falkland Islands, pointing to Donald Trump's hints about reviewing the US position. He also signed decrees targeting an oil project near the islands and boosting defence spending.
Argentine President Javier Milei declared in a televised national address that “winds of change” favourable to Argentina's claim over the Falkland Islands, known in Spanish as the Malvinas, are blowing around the world. He pointed to recent comments from US President Donald Trump suggesting Washington might re-evaluate its historic position on the islands' sovereignty.
Milei said the UK was mired in migratory, demographic and economic crises it was unlikely to resolve, describing the country as being on a path of decline while claiming Argentina's future was flourishing.
Earlier the same day, Trump was asked by British outlet GB News whether the US would back the UK in a potential territorial dispute with Argentina, and he suggested it might not, noting that the UK had not helped the US regarding Iran.
Although supporters had anticipated Milei might announce a US endorsement of Argentina's sovereignty claim, he instead simply echoed Trump's own words, saying he always reviews every position. He went on to characterise Trump's remarks as a serious warning, arguing that the US saw Argentina as a reliable, western-aligned partner in a strategically valuable location.
The US formally recognises the UK's de facto administration of the islands but has not taken an official stance on sovereignty. Reports of a possible policy shift first surfaced in April, when an internal Pentagon email suggested reconsidering the US position as a way to pressure Nato allies who avoided involvement in the Iran conflict.
New decrees
The substantive content of Milei's address centred on several decrees, including accelerated sanctions against parties involved in oil extraction near the islands — specifically an offshore project by Israeli firm Navitas and its British partner Rockhopper, which Milei said breached a UN call against unilateral action in the territory. He also announced an emergency decree boosting defence ministry funding, prioritising an integrated naval base in Tierra del Fuego, a project that began construction in 2022, predating his presidency.
The UK reiterated this week that its position remains unwavering, stressing the islanders' right to self-determination and noting that residents have repeatedly voted to remain a British overseas territory, including in a 2013 referendum.
Analysts have linked Milei's renewed focus on the Malvinas to his declining popularity amid corruption allegations and rising unemployment and poverty, despite his austerity policies having curbed inflation.
