The President of Argentina, Javier Milei, has told his country that he plans to return the Falkland Islands to Argentine administration via a “roadmap” before his tenure in office comes to an end.
In a speech in capital Buenos Aires on Tuesday, the premier vowed for fewer words and more hardline action – but he has since come under fire from more radical Argentines for not going far enough.
Milei said: “I want to reiterate our unwavering claim for the islands, and I commit that during our government we will have a clear roadmap so that the Malvinas return to Argentine hands.
He added the “best tribute” to Argentina’s dead in the war would be to “defend the unwavering claim for Argentine sovereignty” over the archipelago.
words in international forums with no impact on reality and that only serve the politician in power to impose a false love for the country.”
The speech fell on “Malvinas Day” – what Argentina and much of the Spanish-speaking world calls the Falklands – on Tuesday, commemorating the 42nd anniversary of the start of the war – the day Argentine forces invaded the islands.
His words did little to assuage Argentines hawkish on the Falklands – but even when running for president in late 2023, Milei had toed a relatively moderate line, saying the country should “make every effort to recover the islands through diplomatic channels”.
At the time, a spokesperson for the British Prime Minister responded by saying the issue had been “settled decisively some time ago” and that the UK would “proactively defend” the islanders’ right to self-determination.