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Argentina has moved to tighten pressure on companies involved in oil exploration and production around the Falkland Islands, ordering investigations into 45 entities it says are operating in the disputed territory without authorisation.
The move follows President Javier Milei’s renewed push for Argentina’s claim to the islands, which Buenos Aires calls Las Malvinas, and his assertion that changing geopolitical conditions could strengthen the country’s position.
Argentina’s presidency said in a statement on Friday that proceedings had been opened to investigate and potentially sanction companies and other entities linked to hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation around the islands.
The government did not identify the 45 entities. Argentine media reports have said they include companies from Britain, the United States, Canada, Israel, Denmark and the Netherlands.
Several major oilfield services firms have already distanced themselves from projects in the area.
Schlumberger, Halliburton and Baker Hughes said on Saturday that they do not currently work, and do not intend to work, on hydrocarbon projects near the Falklands.
Milei later shared a report about the companies’ statements, accompanied by an acronym meaning that “everything is going according to plan.”
The Falklands lie roughly 600 kilometres east of Argentina’s southern tip and have been administered by Britain, which considers the islands a British Overseas Territory.
The sovereignty dispute led to a 74-day war in 1982 after Argentina invaded the islands. The conflict killed 649 Argentine troops and 255 British personnel before Argentine forces surrendered.
Milei revived the sovereignty issue during a speech on Thursday, announcing tougher measures against companies connected to oil projects around the archipelago.
He argued that international developments were creating a more favourable environment for Argentina’s longstanding claim, saying that “winds of change” were now blowing in his country’s favour.
His comments came days after United States President Donald Trump said Washington was reviewing its position on the Falklands.
Media reports have suggested that the United States could challenge Britain’s sovereignty claim if London fails to increase its defence spending as part of NATO commitments.
Britain has rejected any suggestion that its position on the islands is weakening. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the territory, saying Britain’s position on the Falklands remains “unshakeable.”
He added that the islands are British because their residents have chosen to identify as British.
