Government Announces Criminal Complaint
The Office of the President announced on Monday that Argentina will file a criminal complaint against five foreign oil companies operating in the North Falklands Basin under licenses granted by the United Kingdom, which are considered illegal under Argentine Law 26.659. The complaint will be presented by Chancellor Pablo Quirno, with legal sponsorship from the Treasury Prosecutor Sebastián Amerio, before the Federal Chamber of Buenos Aires.[S1][S2]
The companies targeted include Navitas Petroleum Development & Production Ltd., Navitas Petroleum Atlantic United, Navitas Petroleum LP, JHI Associates Inc., and Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd. According to the official statement, three of these firms allegedly received UK permits to explore and extract hydrocarbons under the Sea Lion project, which the government views as a violation of Argentine regulations on natural resources around the Falkland Islands.[S1][S2]
Legal Action Extends to Individuals
The complaint also targets all directors, managers, trustees, members of supervisory boards, administrators, agents, representatives, or authorized persons who participated in the investigated acts. The government indicated that the measure aims to protect natural resources and uphold sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands, as well as the corresponding maritime and insular spaces.[S1][S3]
The announcement follows a previous decision to open sanctioning procedures against 45 individuals and companies linked to hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation in the Falklands. The government emphasized that the islands are Argentine by history and by right, and that the British occupation has recently intensified its actions by advancing the extraction of natural resources.[S1][S2]
Presidential Instruction for 2027 Budget
President Javier Milei also signed a presidential instruction directed at Economy Minister Luis Caputo to prioritize the development of the Integrated Naval Base and other strategic projects in the 2027 Budget. The budget proposal must be sent to Congress by September 15, with the aim of strengthening national security and protecting Argentina's sovereign interests.[S1][S3][S4]
The government stated that these measures are part of a comprehensive policy to strengthen the Argentine state's capabilities to defend its territory, protect its natural resources, and safeguard its strategic interests. The complaint comes hours after Milei's national broadcast reaffirming Argentina's claim over the islands and directly questioning the Sea Lion project.[S1][S3]
