President Milei threatens Britain with lawsuit over Sea Lion — France 24
Argentine President Javier Milei said the country could turn to an international court over the Sea Lion oil project near the Falkland Islands, which are administered by the United Kingdom but whose sovereignty is claimed by Buenos Aires. As France 24 English reports, the president instructed Argentina's Foreign Ministry and legal teams to initiate arbitration proceedings against the United Kingdom.
Arbitration over Sea Lion
Milei called the development of the field an illegal use of Argentine resources. He said Argentina would apply to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea if Britain does not halt what Argentine authorities consider illegitimate exploitation within two weeks.
The Sea Lion field is located about 220 kilometers from the islands. It is being developed by Israeli company Navitas and British company Rockhopper. The companies say they hold valid exploration licenses issued by the United Kingdom.
Dispute over the islands
The Milei administration has already taken legal action over the project approved by Britain. Buenos Aires says it contravenes a UN resolution calling on the parties to refrain from unilateral actions on the islands until the dispute is resolved.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
According to France 24, Buenos Aires strengthened its claims to the islands after U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington was ready to reconsider its historically neutral position on the territory. The British government said it supports companies operating near the Falkland Islands.
In 1982, Britain and Argentina fought over the islands for ten weeks. The conflict killed 255 British and 649 Argentine servicemen.
Representatives of the Falkland Islands also arrived in Punta Arenas, Chile, to restore a maritime route between the ports. Louise Ellis, the islands' deputy director of economic development, said the route is not connected to transporting cargo for Sea Lion. It is expected to begin operating later this year and will mainly be used to transport construction materials, food, and beverages.
