NEW YORK, United States — Argentine President Javier Milei has accused the United Nations of ignoring the long-running dispute over the Falkland Islands, as his government intensifies action against companies developing offshore oil around the British-administered territory.
Addressing the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, Milei renewed Argentina’s claim to the islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas, and called on Britain to resume negotiations over sovereignty.
“An organisation that set out to defend the territorial sovereignty of its members decided to look the other way regarding the situation of the Malvinas Islands,” Milei said, according to Reuters.
Milei said Argentina had chosen a “pacific, practical and effective defence” of its claim and maintained that Buenos Aires would continue pursuing a peaceful solution.
But he also warned that his government would act against companies involved in extracting resources from waters claimed by Argentina rather than wait for international intervention.
“The Argentina is not going to sit around waiting for the UN and the international community to live up to their own mandate,” he said, according to reporting on his address. “We’re going to take matters into our own hands.”
Argentina’s presidency, in its official account of the speech, said Milei had reaffirmed the Falklands as a national cause and urged Britain to return to negotiations.
Mike Segar/REUTERS
Argentina Targets Companies Behind Oil Development
The dispute has intensified over the Sea Lion oil project in the North Falkland Basin.
Argentina says oil development around the islands without its authorisation violates its sovereignty claim and has begun sanctions proceedings against more than 60 companies and individuals connected to exploration and development there.
Earlier in September, Milei’s government also announced legal action against companies involved in the project and subsequently introduced legislation that would strengthen penalties against businesses, shareholders, and suppliers participating in natural-resource projects around the islands without Argentine approval.
The Sea Lion development is owned by Israel’s Navitas Petroleum and Britain’s Rockhopper Exploration.
The companies have said the project operates under valid licences issued by the Falkland Islands government and have indicated that they do not expect Argentina’s measures to stop its development.
Britain has rejected Argentina’s assertion that its domestic laws can be applied to businesses operating in or around the islands.
The British government said this month that it supported the Falkland Islanders’ right to regulate their economy and develop their natural resources, including hydrocarbons.
Britain Rejects Call for Sovereignty Talks
Britain administers the Falklands as a largely self-governing British overseas territory. Argentina has maintained a sovereignty claim over the archipelago for generations.
The two countries fought a 10-week war in 1982 after Argentina invaded the islands. Argentine forces surrendered to Britain in June of that year.
Britain maintains that the islanders have the right to determine their own political status.
In a 2013 referendum, 99.8 per cent of those voting chose to remain a British overseas territory, with turnout reported at 92 per cent.
Argentina rejects the argument that the sovereignty dispute can be determined through the islanders’ right to self-determination and instead maintains that the issue is a territorial dispute between Argentina and Britain.
Following Milei’s UN speech, Britain reiterated that it would not enter sovereignty negotiations without the consent of the islanders.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham had also raised the issue with US President Donald Trump during a meeting in New York a day earlier.
“The clear position is: we will stand firm in the face of any threats,” Burnham said, according to Reuters. “We will defend the right of the Falkland Islanders to self-determination and to remain British.”
The renewed confrontation follows comments by Trump in August that the United States was reviewing its traditionally neutral position on the sovereignty dispute.
Milei has ruled out the use of military force and has repeatedly said Argentina should pursue its claim through diplomatic means.
