Argentina Threatens UK with Court Action Over Falklands Oil Drilling Dispute

Argentina's President Javier Milei has threatened to take court action against the UK over an oil drilling project off the coast of the Falkland Islands. The Sea Lion Project, operated by Navitas Petroleum Development and Production Ltd (NPDP), a UK-based subsidiary of Israeli Navitas Petroleum, aims to extract oil from the North Malvinas Basin.

Milei instructed his Foreign Ministry and legal teams to initiate international arbitration against the UK for what he claims is the 'illegal plundering' of Argentine resources. The President also stated that if the UK does not halt the project within two weeks, Argentina will take the matter to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

The Sea Lion oil field is expected to produce over 30 years, creating jobs and economic activity in both the Falkland Islands and the UK supply chain. However, Navitas Petroleum says they have valid licenses to drill in the area, issued by the British government.