Argentina pushes for Falklands sovereignty after UK leaves Chagos islands

The Governor of the Falkland Islands, Alison Blake, has moved to reassure residents regarding the territory’s sovereignty following the United Kingdom's recent agreement to relinquish ownership of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

This decision comes after prolonged negotiations between the UK and Mauritius, leading to renewed claims over the Falklands from Argentina, Caliber.Az reports via British media.

In response to the UK’s transfer of the Chagos Islands, Argentina’s foreign minister, Diana Mondino, reiterated her country's determination to regain sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. She declared, “Following the path we have already taken, with concrete actions and not empty rhetoric, we will recover full sovereignty over our Malvinas Islands. The Malvinas were, are and will always be Argentine.”

To quell growing apprehensions, Governor Blake emphasised the distinct legal and historical contexts of the two territories. In a statement shared on social media, she remarked, “I would like to reassure you that the legal and historical contexts of the Chagos Archipelago and the Falkland Islands are very different.”

She affirmed the UK’s steadfast commitment to the sovereignty of the Falklands, stating, “The UK commitment to the South Atlantic territory's sovereignty is unwavering and remains undiminished.”

Governor Blake further highlighted that UK ministers have consistently communicated their resolve, saying, “The UK will not agree to anything that runs the risk of jeopardising sovereignty in other Overseas Territories.”

She reinforced the UK government's dedication to the Falkland Islanders' right to self-determination, underscoring, “The UK's unwavering commitment to defend UK sovereignty remains undiminished.”

Argentina's renewed claims come on the heels of the UK’s announcement regarding the Chagos Islands, with Mondino perceiving the decision as a move towards ending “outdated practices.”

The Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory located in the southwest Atlantic Ocean, have been at the centre of a long-standing sovereignty dispute, particularly following Argentina’s invasion in 1982, which led to a brief but intense conflict resulting in numerous casualties on both sides.

By Aghakazim Guliyev