Argentina's Milei escalates Falklands dispute, seizing on Trump comments and oil tensions

Argentine President Javier Milei escalated his dispute with Britain over the Falkland Islands on Thursday, pledging new measures to halt an oil project near the British-controlled archipelago. In a nationally televised speech, Milei cited U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments suggesting Washington could reconsider its neutral stance on sovereignty, arguing the close relationship with the U.S. is yielding benefits. Milei announced sweeping actions targeting the deep-sea Sea Lion project, about 220 kilometers (140 miles) north of the islands, planned by British firm Rockhopper Exploration and Israel’s Navitas Petroleum to begin drilling soon and pump oil in 2028. He threatened tougher sanctions against involved companies and announced new funding for a naval base in Tierra del Fuego to strengthen Argentina’s military presence near the islands, known as Malvinas. The move highlights renewed focus ahead of elections next year as approval ratings and the economy lag.