Argentina’s President Javier Milei said his government is determined to develop a “plan” aimed at gaining Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, which have been under British administration since 1833, American CNN reports.
Milei made the announcement during a ceremony in Buenos Aires to mark the 42nd anniversary of the start of the war between the two countries over the South Atlantic archipelago.
“I want to reiterate our unwavering claim to the islands and pledge that during our government we will be able to develop a clear plan to return the Malvinas to Argentine hands,” Milei said on Tuesday. He used Argentina’s preferred name for the islands, whose sovereignty is the source of a long-standing dispute with the United Kingdom.
The war and the status of the islands are still of concern to many Argentines, and in the years following the lost conflict, local politicians have often taken up the cause. Milei, who was sworn in in December, said the “best tribute” to those who died during the conflict was to “defend the steadfast claim of Argentine sovereignty” over the islands.
The Falklands War
The 74-day war erupted when Argentina’s then-military government landed invasion troops on the islands on April 2, 1982. War was not officially declared by either side.
The conflict ended with a British victory and the surrender of Argentine forces on June 14 of that year. Argentina estimates the conflict’s death toll at around 655, including three civilians, while Britain lost 255 military personnel.
Responding to Milei’s remarks, a spokesman for the British prime minister said the issue had already been “definitively resolved some time ago” and that the UK would “actively defend” the islanders’ right to self-determination.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron went on to say that the UK wants to have good relations with Milei’s government “but it will never be at the expense of the wishes of the people of the Falkland Islands”.
Tags: Argentinas president plans stake unshakable claim Falklands
