Argentina President Javier Milei claimed his country needs “to recover” the British Overseas Territory.
Javierl Milei delivered a speech focused on the Falkland Islands early on Friday (Image: Argentina’s Presidency Press Office/AFP via Getty Images)
The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly has issued a statement following Javier Milei’s recent speech, during which he sparked fresh fears over the archipelago. In a lengthly statement the Legislative Assembly asserted that “The Falkland Islands are a self-governing British Overseas Territory” which is a “right grounded in international law, and it is not altered by the statements of any other government”.
This comes after Argentinian President Javier Milei once again renewed tensions over the British overseas territory. The right wing leader started his TV address on Thursday by declaring that the islands are “are Argentinian… historically and legally”. He added: “There can be no argument. They are part of the Argentine territory.”
The Falklands have been a British territory since 1833 (Image: Getty)
In response The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly said “statements like the ones made this week are not new to us” and their “community has faced pressure of this kind many times over the decades”.
“Threats and claims have never held back the Falkland Islands development in the past, and they will not now”, the statement added.
The Falkland Islands then reaffirmed their support for remaining a self-governing Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom, pointing to the overwhelming result of the 2013 referendum.
The statement highlighted the referendum’s decisive outcome, saying: “That democratic choice is clear, and it remains unchanged.”
The 2013 referendum saw a turnout of 92%, with 99.8% of voters backing the Falkland Islands’ continued status as a self-governing Overseas Territory of the UK.
Javier Milei has once again renewed hostilities over the archipelago (Image: Getty)
The Falklands have been a British territory since 1833.
The statement went on to express gratitude for the UK Government’s continued support for the Islands’ right to self-determination.
“We are grateful for the strong and unwavering support of the UK Government for our self-determination,” the statement said, adding that this backing had continued “throughout successive UK governments.”
It also pointed to support across the UK’s political spectrum, saying that following President Javier Milei’s address, the Islands’ position had been reaffirmed “at the highest levels”.
The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly said they had received support from “Downing Street, Government Ministers, Members of Parliament, and friends and partners internationally”.
“We remain confident, settled and focused on the future our people have chosen”, the statement concluded.
In a post on X on Friday, Argentina’s Secretariat of Intelligence shared a photograph of the Falkland Islands alongside the message “Estamos Mirando,” which translates to “We’re watching”.
In his speech on Thursday Milei also said the UK was facing “multiple crises of a migratory, demographic and economic nature that are unlikely to be resolved. It is clear that they are on a path of decline. Argentina’s future, however, is flourishing and will prevail.”
Following the speech, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting gave a firm response where he emphasised the Falklands’ position as a British territory.
He wrote on social media: “Milei’s statement overnight tells us more about domestic politics in Argentina than it does about the Falkland Islands.
“The Falklands are British because Falkland Islanders choose to be British. Our commitment to the Falklands is absolute and unshakeable.”