Argentina has announced that it will file criminal charges against Israeli‑listed oil company Navitas Petroleum for operating under the waters off the Falkland Islands.
President Javier Milei warned that any firm drilling in the territory would face sanctions, calling the activity a threat to Argentine sovereignty.
Foreign Secretary Kirsty McNeill dismissed the comments, reaffirming the United Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to the islanders and underscoring the Falkland Islands’ right to decide its own future.
Navitas owns a 65% stake in the Sea Lion offshore oil project, slated to start production in 2028. The company says it holds licence approvals from the Falkland Islands.
The move comes amid a long‑standing dispute that dates back to the 1982 war, when the Falklands were seized by Argentina and later restored to UK control by British forces.
The case is a significant escalation in an ongoing struggle over jurisdiction and resource exploitation in the South Atlantic.
