Argentina opens sanction proceedings against 15 entities over oil activities near Falkland Islands
Argentina has opened sanction proceedings against 15 additional individuals and legal entities over alleged violations of national hydrocarbon legislation on the continental shelf. The cases concern oil and gas activities in maritime areas around the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, which Argentine authorities consider unauthorized.
Proceedings against 60 entities
The new cases supplement proceedings already underway against 45 other entities under Article 2 of Law No. 26,659. Thus, the total number of individuals and legal entities against whom Argentina has initiated procedures has reached 60.
As Anadolu Agency reports, a statement signed by President Javier Milei said that Argentina would continue to identify those involved in such activities and initiate sanction procedures against them. The document also stressed that the authorities would use available administrative, diplomatic and legal mechanisms.
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Oil exploration near the islands
The decision was made amid the development of offshore oil exploration near the Falkland Islands. The Sea Lion project involves the British company Rockhopper Exploration and Israel’s Navitas Petroleum.
Argentina links the proceedings to its long-standing claim of sovereignty over the South Atlantic islands and adjacent maritime areas. The Falkland Islands, which Argentina calls the Malvinas, are a British Overseas Territory. The sovereignty dispute has continued since Britain established control over the islands in 1833. In a 2013 referendum, 99.8% of voters supported retaining the status of a British Overseas Territory.
