Diplomacy ‘only way’ to recover Malvinas, says Argentine defense minister

Argentine Defense Minister Carlos Presti said that “the only way” for the country to recover sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands is “in a peaceful and diplomatic manner.”

His remarks came after United States President Donald Trump said he expected to be “called into” the “potential disaster” of a conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the islands.

While Trump seemed to hint at the possibility of an armed conflict, Presti said that, in his view, the U.S. leader’s comments “were not against anyone” but rather “maybe were in favor of looking for a peaceful resolution” to the dispute.

“All Argentines know this is a national cause and we know that the only way to recover sovereignty over the islands is in a peaceful and diplomatic manner,” Presti told Radio Mitre on Sunday.

The dispute over the islands has regained traction in the public agenda in both Argentina and the U.K. in recent weeks, especially after President Javier Milei announced a series of sanctions and lawsuits against foreign companies linked to an oil drilling project set to begin near the Malvinas in the coming months.

According to Presti, President Milei and Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno “are likely analyzing all of the statements” made by Trump.

South Atlantic defense  Presti added that there are “concrete facts” that demonstrate Argentina’s presence in the South Atlantic islands prior to the British occupation in 1833.

Although he insisted on the need to resolve the dispute peacefully, he stressed that the country’s “strategic alliance with the United States” allows Argentina to “equip and position” itself within the Southern Hemisphere.

He also said that President Milei asked him to “create the best strategic conditions in the South Atlantic” in terms of defense. In that sense, completing construction of a naval base in the southernmost city of Ushuahia will be key.

Addressing the nation in a speech in early September, Milei included construction of the naval base as part of his government’s plans to reinforce defense resources and military presence in the South Atlantic. 

Construction of the base began in 2022 under the previous government and, according to the opposition, had advanced only 10% when Milei took office at the end of 2023 and ordered a halt to all public works, including the base, as part of an effort to reduce public spending. 

Presti said that work to finish the naval base will begin next January with an investment of US$450 million.

“It will be a commercial logistics hub designed to expand Argentina’s presence and capabilities in the South Atlantic,” he added.

Trump’s comments During a visit to Ireland on Saturday, Trump was asked by reporters whether he had spoken with U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham about the issue of Malvinas and the sovereignty dispute with Argentina.

“I think it was a different country at that time, the U.K., a little bit,” he said, referring to the 1982 war over the islands, which the British won. “But they went in and they took it over. I’m not sure they’re doing that,” he said, seemingly referring to the U.K.’s potential need to defend the Malvinas.

Trump said that the British have “a little problem with immigration” as well as with access to energy and “some other problems they have to take care of.”

“I don’t know if they’re gonna be willing to travel that far. That is very far away. You’re talking about weeks by boat,” Trump said. “I’m sure I’ll be called into that potential disaster, but if they do, I’ll probably be able to settle it out. But right now, you have two countries that are not happy.”

Trump’s statements come at a convoluted time for U.K. politics, as party leaders from Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland met on Monday to sign a joint declaration demanding self-determination and the right to choose independence from the United Kingdom. 

While visiting Dublin, Trump also said he would back a united Ireland.

You may also be interested in: Milei’s history with Malvinas, from admiring Thatcher to defending sovereignty

Editorial disclaimer: Although the UK refers to the territory as the “Falkland Islands,” Argentina strongly contests this name. The Buenos Aires Herald uses “Malvinas” to refer to the islands.