Javier Milei declares Falklands are "Argentinian" and vows to stop British oil drilling

The libertarian leader warned that his country’s claim to the British territory was facing a "clear and present danger" as he accused the UK of "failing to heed" United Nations calls not to take "unilateral actions" on the islands.

Mr Milei said: "For more than 50 years, the United Nations have been calling Argentina and the United Kingdom not to undertake unilateral actions on the territory of the islands until the dispute is resolved, including the use of its national resources.

"However, the United Kingdom has systematically failed to heed that call."

The Argentine President then turned his attention to the Sea Lion oil project in the South Atlantic, which is jointly owned by British and Israeli companies.

Israeli firm Navitas Petroleum owns a 65 per cent stake in Sea Lion, while British company Rockhopper Exploration owns the remaining 35 per cent.

Sea Lion lies around 136 miles north of the Falklands in the South Atlantic Ocean.

The oil field is believed to contain the equivalent of around 900 million barrels of oil and sits approximately 1.6 miles beneath the seabed, itself at a depth of nearly 1,500 feet.

The Falkland Islands Government will receive a nine per cent royalty on revenues from the field alongside a 26 per cent corporation tax on profits.

Mr Milei warned that drilling was due to commence within months and declared that Argentina "will not allow it".

He said: "That means that if we do not act swiftly in a few months, they will have the material capacity to access the oil that lies underneath our sea. Something that has never happened before.

"That means that our national claim is facing a clear and present danger, and requires a proportional response. We will not allow it."

The Argentine leader used the address to announce sanctions against oil companies operating "under the British occupation" off the Falkland Islands.

Mr Milei vowed to accelerate a decree putting the sanctions into effect.

The Argentine President also claimed the Falkland Islanders were living "on their usurped territory" and labelled their right to self-determination "invalid".

In a 2013 referendum, 1,513 people voted to remain a British Overseas Territory, with just three voting against on a turnout of more than 90 per cent.

Announcing plans for a naval base in Tierra del Fuego in southern Argentina, Mr Milei said Mr Trump and the US were “assessing their historical position in regard to the Falklands”.

“That is not empty words as they understand that Argentina is a reliable partner and a valuable ally for decades to come,” he said.

“Our role and relevance as a country in the world has changed dramatically.

“The Falklands are our future - we need to recover these islands which are nationally relevant. There is no other path forward.

“It is the best way of paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for this cause. It is our obligation as a nation to honour their memory.”

On Thursday, in a world exclusive interview with GB News, the US President suggested America may not back Britain in a fight over the South Atlantic territory.

The President’s remarks came after he confirmed that the US was now reviewing its position on the Falkland Islands.

The archipelago was first reached by English explorers more than a century before Argentina became an independent state.

The islands had no permanent population before the British arrived.

Argentina’s military junta invaded the Falklands in 1982, but was seen off in just 74 days by the British Armed Forces and soon raised the white flag of surrender.

A total of 649 Argentines died trying to take over the British territory.