Argentina to file new complaints against oil companies operating in Malvinas

The Argentine government will step up its legal offensive against companies involved in hydrocarbon exploration and production projects in waters near the Malvinas islands. 

Presidential spokesman Adrián Ravier confirmed on Tuesday that existing complaints will be expanded and that new legal actions will be filed against companies operating without Argentine authorization. New actions, he added, will not be limited to companies.

“Any company or supplier associated with exploration or production activities in the Malvinas will not be able to enter into any kind of agreement with the Argentine government,” he said, mentioning access to the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI) or restrictions to participation in projects like Vaca Muerta as examples of what he meant.

“The legal complaint filed last week will be expanded to include other companies. The national government will continue to use every means at its disposal to sanction and prevent companies or individuals from carrying out activities that violate Argentina’s rights and sovereignty over the islands,” Ravier said.

The integrated naval base in Ushuaia Ravier said the military project in Ushuaia will be a strategic logistical hub for Argentina’s projection into the South Atlantic, allowing “better monitoring and control of natural resources and sovereignty,” as well as support logistics deployed in Antarctica.

He added that naval and air protection will be provided through a P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft and the new F-16 fighter aircraft.

The base, Ravier said, will have commercial and civilian docks and play an “important role in protecting strategic assets in the south of the country, such as Vaca Muerta.” 

UK rejects Argentine complaints The United Kingdom challenged the legal offensive launched by the Milei administration against foreign companies operating in the Malvinas, saying that Argentina has no jurisdiction to enforce its laws there.

In guidelines published on its official website titled “Doing business with the Falkland Islands,” the U.K. said it supported all legitimate economic activity in the islands and backed the right of the people of the islands to regulate their economy and exploit their natural resources, including hydrocarbons.

“The U.K. Government’s position is that Argentina has no right to exercise jurisdiction over the Falkland Islands or to apply its domestic law within the Islands, nor towards any companies or individuals participating in business in or connected with the Islands,” the British guidelines stated.

The publication added that it saw no legal basis for courts outside Argentina to enforce the measures adopted against the companies and offered them support in dealing with problems encountered when doing business with the islands.

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.

With information from Ámbito