Milei vows roadmap towards Argentine sovereignty over British-ruled Falkland Islands

Argentina’s lost war for the islands still rankles deeply many Argentinians, over four decades later.

Argentina’s President Javier Milei has said his government is committed to establishing a “roadmap” towards Argentine sovereignty of the British-ruled Falkland Islands. “I want to reiterate our unwavering claim for the islands, and I commit that during our government we will be able to have a clear roadmap so that the Malvinas return to Argentine hands,” Milei said Tuesday, using Argentina’s preferred name for the islands, whose sovereignty is the source of a long-running dispute with the United Kingdom. Milei was speaking during a ceremony in Buenos Aires to mark the 42nd anniversary of the start of the war between the two countries over the chilly, windswept island chain in the South Atlantic, 300 miles east of the tip of South America. The 74-day war was sparked when the then-military government in Argentina landed an invading force on the islands on April 2, 1982. It ended with a British victory that followed hundreds of casualties on both sides. Argentina has estimated its death toll from the conflict at around 645, while Britain lost 255 personnel. The war and status of the islands still rankles deeply many Argentinians and the cause has often been taken up by the country’s politicians in the years since. Milei, who was sworn into office in December, said the “best tribute” for those who died during the conflict was to “defend the unwavering claim for Argentine sovereignty” over the islands.