Milei Escalates Falklands Oil Row, Cites Trump Comments

Argentine President Javier Milei escalated the Falklands dispute Thursday, vowing new sanctions on companies involved in the Sea Lion oil project and citing President Donald Trump's comments as evidence Washington may shift its neutral stance on sovereignty.

Milei announced sweeping measures aimed at stopping the deep-sea drilling planned by British Rockhopper Exploration and Israel's Navitas Petroleum, calling the project illegal exploitation of Argentine waters. He threatened tougher penalties against companies involved and pledged new funding for a naval base in Tierra del Fuego to bolster military presence near the islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas.

"The United States is considering this change in position because it knows that Argentina has a reliable partner, aligned with Western values, in a strategically important position," Milei said in a televised speech.

Trump stirred concern in Britain earlier this week when asked about reviewing the U.S. stance. "I always review every position," he replied. In an interview Thursday with GB News, Trump dodged a question on whether the U.S. would aid Britain in another Falklands conflict, instead complaining that Britain did not support the U.S.-led bombing campaign against Iran.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham's spokesman, Tom Wells, reiterated that "sovereignty rests with the U.K., and the islanders' right to self-determination is paramount." A 2013 referendum saw the roughly 4,000 Falkland Islands residents vote overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory.

The escalation marks a turn for Milei, who has faced domestic criticism for warming ties with Britain and professing admiration for Margaret Thatcher. The 1982 war killed 649 Argentine troops, 255 British service members and three islanders. The sovereignty claim is enshrined in Argentina's constitution and remains one of the few cross-party causes.

Milei, up for reelection next year, faces slipping approval ratings and a sputtering economy. "We can argue about my style. We can disagree over fiscal or exchange-rate policy," he said. "But there are causes that rise above any political difference. The Malvinas is one of them."

Leftist opposition lawmaker Nicolás del Caño accused Milei of using the sovereignty claim to regain ground ahead of the election and to serve U.S. interests in its dispute with Britain.

The Sea Lion project sits about 220 kilometers (140 miles) north of the islands. Drilling is expected in the coming months, with first oil targeted for 2028. Milei warned that allowing the project would create an incentive for Britain to deepen its occupation. He vowed to fast-track sanctions against companies involved and extend penalties to suppliers, shareholders and directors.

"A poor country without armed forces can hardly make effective progress on its sovereignty claims," Milei said.

There was no immediate response from Downing Street late Thursday.