Argentina files criminal case against oil firm in Falklands

Wed Sep 09 2026 02:27:32 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Argentine government says new charges against Navitas Petroleum will defend its sovereignty over the Falklands, sparking a diplomatic spat with Britain.

Argentina’s government has announced it will press criminal charges against Navitas Petroleum, the company involved in a proposed offshore oil project near the Falkland Islands. President Javier Milei warned that drilling in the waters would violate Argentine law and threaten sovereignty, prompting Britain to insist it has an unwavering commitment to the islands. The dispute echoes the 1982 war when Britain drove out Argentine forces. Madrid’s stance signals a renewed push for Argentina’s claim that the Falklands, where 99.8% of residents voted to remain a British overseas territory in 2013, are Argentine territory. The move could intensify tensions between the two nations amid growing global interest in the region’s oil reserves.

Argentina files criminal case against oil firm in Falklands

The Argentine government says it will file criminal charges against Navitas Petroleum, the company involved in a proposed offshore oil project near the Falkland Islands.

President Javier Milei warned that drilling in the waters would violate Argentine law and threaten sovereignty, prompting Britain to insist it has an unwavering commitment to the islands.

The dispute echoes the 1982 war when Britain drove out Argentine forces. Madrid’s stance signals a renewed push for Argentina’s claim that the Falklands, where 99.8% of residents voted to remain a British overseas territory in 2013, are Argentine territory.

The move could intensify tensions between the two nations amid growing global interest in the region’s oil reserves.