According to Bloomberg, on September 4th, local time, Argentine President Melle announced that it would impose sanctions on foreign companies that exploit natural resources in the Malvinas Islands (referred to as the Falklands by the UK) and the disputed waters. In response, British Foreign Secretary Miliband stated that the UK would resolutely defend its sovereignty over the Falklands.
On that day, Miliband posted a statement on social media saying: "The UK maintains a firm stance on the Falkland Islands issue. The islands belong to the UK, and the status quo will be maintained, as it is the wish of the majority of the island's inhabitants. The right of the islanders to self-determination is supreme, and this right is based on international law. We will defend this right firmly."
For a long time, there has been a dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. In April 1982, both countries went to war over the issue of the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, with the United Kingdom winning in the end. After the war, Argentina never gave up its claim to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, while the United Kingdom refused to negotiate on the issue of sovereignty.
On the 4th local time, Milley delivered a national televised speech, threatening to impose new sanctions on oil companies operating in the waters surrounding the island of Guam, as part of her efforts to assert her country’s sovereignty over the island. Previously, U.S. President Trump had indicated that the United States would not provide assistance to Britain in case of conflicts surrounding the archipelago.
Mile said: "Whether from a historical or legal perspective, the Falkland Islands belong to Argentina. There is no dispute over this fact; the Falkland Islands are part of Argentine territory. Islanders living on this occupied land do not have the legal right to self-determination, and any claims based on such a right are invalid."
Mile said that the Argentine government will use all national measures, including diplomacy, economics, and law, to prevent countries and non-state actors from violating the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
He added that the UK is 'deeply involved in multiple crises on several fronts', and said he would sign a decree to impose sanctions on all companies engaged in oil extraction operations in those waters.
The report mentioned that Milley's personal popularity has dropped to nearly the lowest point since she took office. She hopes to gain voter support by using nationalist issues.
