Milei accuses UN of ignoring Falklands dispute at General Assembly

September 24, 2026 at 12:12 AM2 min

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Argentine President Javier Milei accused the United Nations of "looking the other way" on the Falkland Islands dispute during his UN General Assembly address on Wednesday. He targeted the Sea Lion oil project, calling it illegal and announcing sanctions against 60 companies and individuals linked to offshore drilling. The UK has rejected the measures, saying the Falklands have the right to develop their own resources.

Key Facts

Milei called the Falkland Islands a "national cause" and said the UN was "looking the other way" on the dispute.
Argentina began sanctions proceedings against 60 companies and individuals linked to offshore drilling near the islands earlier this month.
The Sea Lion oil project is located about 220km north of the islands and is expected to begin drilling in the coming months, with production planned for 2028.
In a 2013 referendum, 1,513 of 1,517 voters chose to remain a British overseas territory.

UN Address

Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Milei called the islands a "national cause" and accused the UN of "looking the other way" on the dispute. He said any activity not authorised by Argentina "constitutes an unlawful act" and that Argentina had chosen a "peaceful, practical, and effective defence" of its claim. Milei rejected the UK's argument that islanders should decide their own future, saying self-determination did not apply because the population had been "implanted by the occupying power" on disputed territory.

Sea Lion Project

The Sea Lion oil project is located about 220km north of the islands and is owned by UK-based Rockhopper Exploration and Israel's Navitas Petroleum. The owners are expected to begin drilling in the coming months, with production planned for 2028. Argentina considers the project illegal and has begun sanctions proceedings against 60 companies and individuals linked to offshore drilling near the islands. British officials have rejected the measures, saying the Falklands have the right to develop their own natural resources.

Sovereignty Dispute

Britain has administered the islands since 1833, but Argentina has long claimed sovereignty. Argentina invaded the islands in 1982, triggering a 10-week war that ended in its surrender. In a 2013 referendum, 1,513 of 1,517 voters chose to remain a British overseas territory. Milei's government has announced new funding for a naval base in Tierra del Fuego to bolster its military presence near the islands.