In a provocative statement, Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino declared, "With concrete actions and not empty rhetoric, we will recover full sovereignty of Las Malvinas. Las Malvinas were, are, and always will be Argentine." This sentiment was echoed by Argentina's president, Javier Milei, who has consistently supported the country's claim to the Falklands.
The remarks have triggered significant backlash in the UK. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his concerns in the Daily Mail, stating that Labour's decision regarding the Chagos Islands has left him "genuinely anxious about Britain overseas." He criticized Labour's leadership for being influenced by ideologues who oppose fundamental concepts like US hegemony and NATO.
Ex-Tory Armed Forces minister Mark Francois emphasized the importance of the Falklands, recalling the sacrifices made during the war against Argentina's military junta. He called on current Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to provide a clear and firm rejection of Argentina's claims in Parliament.
Veteran Drum Major Willie Urban, who served in the Falklands War, expressed strong feelings against any potential transfer of sovereignty, suggesting it could lead to a political coup. He noted that public sentiment strongly favors British control over the islands.
While Sir Keir did not assure the future status of the Falklands during recent questioning, a spokesperson later reiterated that "the sovereignty of the Falklands is not up for debate." Falklands Governor Alison Blake also reassured islanders of Britain's unwavering commitment to the territory.
Ex-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps lamented that former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher would be "turning in her grave" at the thought of surrendering British possessions. He suggested that had Starmer been in charge during the Falklands invasion, he would have capitulated.
Critics, including former military officials, have described the timing of Labour's Chagos Islands decision as "naive bordering on reckless," emphasizing that Britain cannot afford to appease nations with grievances against it. Successive British governments have consistently rejected Argentina's claims to the Falklands, with assurances from officials that Britain remains committed to defending the islands indefinitely.
Following comments from Lord Cameron, Argentine President Javier Milei acknowledged that any future decisions regarding the Falklands are ultimately "in the hands of the UK." This statement comes amidst concerns from U.S. officials about the recent agreement to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, particularly due to Mauritius' close ties with China. Reports suggest that U.S. officials have warned against the deal, fearing it could enable China to establish listening posts on nearby islands.
A Whitehall source expressed confusion over the timing of the agreement, especially considering the current geopolitical tensions with China, describing it as baffling. However, Jonathan Powell, the UK's special envoy for negotiations with Mauritius, countered these concerns, stating that U.S. officials were pleased with the agreement and that President Biden had issued a statement warmly welcoming it.
In a related note, it's worth mentioning that in 2013, residents of the Falkland Islands voted overwhelmingly in a referendum to remain under British sovereignty. Other British Overseas Territories include Ascension Island in the South Atlantic and Pitcairn Island in the Pacific, which is known as Britain's smallest colony.
