Argentine President Javier Milei has given the United Kingdom a two-week deadline to halt development of the Sea Lion oil project near the Falkland Islands, warning that Buenos Aires will pursue international legal action if the work continues.
Milei announced the deadline in a social media post, accusing Britain of allowing the “illegal plundering” of Argentine natural resources through the offshore project. He said he had instructed Argentina’s Foreign Ministry and legal teams to prepare for international arbitration against the UK if the project is not suspended. He also threatened to take the dispute to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg.
The Sea Lion project is operated by Israel-based Navitas Petroleum and British company Rockhopper Exploration in the North Falkland Basin. The field is estimated to contain up to 1.7 billion barrels of oil and is located about 130 miles from the islands. The companies have maintained that the project has valid licences issued by the Falkland Islands government and have indicated that Argentina’s actions are not expected to prevent its development.
The dispute adds to a growing confrontation between Argentina and Britain over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, which Argentina calls the Malvinas. Argentina invaded the islands in 1982, triggering a 10-week war that ended after British forces retook the territory. The conflict killed 255 British military personnel, three islanders and 649 Argentine military personnel.
The latest threat follows Milei’s address to the United Nations General Assembly, where he accused the UN of failing to adequately address Argentina’s sovereignty claim. He reiterated that Argentina favours a peaceful resolution through negotiations with Britain.
Britain, meanwhile, has reaffirmed its position that the Falkland Islanders have the right to determine their own future and remain British. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said after meeting US President Donald Trump that Britain would stand firm against threats to the islands.
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