An Argentine veteran of the 1982 South Atlantic conflict has proposed a joint sovereignty arrangement for the Malvinas Islands, arguing that nearly two centuries of deadlock have produced “nothing” and that a negotiated solution is overdue.
Alejandro Diego, who served in Argentina’s Navy during the war, made the remarks during a video appearance at an academic conference at the University of Manchester on April 17, just days before a leaked Pentagon memo reignited tensions between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed territory.
Speaking at the “Falklands/Malvinas Conflict Conference,” the veteran proposed the islands become a self-governing territory jointly administered by Buenos Aires and London, with the United States acting as a guarantor and intermediary in negotiations.
“For this agreement to take place, there should be a guarantor,” Diego told attendees. “My opinion is that the US could be a very good one.”
The proposal comes against a backdrop of renewed geopolitical friction over the islands. The leaked US memo published in late April suggested Washington could review aspects of its longstanding position on the dispute.
“Seeking all-or-nothing, we have obtained nothing for 193 years [since 1833] of effective British occupation,” the veteran told the Times in an interview.
Diego argued that the United Kingdom must resolve its “colonial problem” and stressed that negotiations would require a framework of trust between the parties. Given that Argentina rejects the idea of the islanders acting as a separate negotiating party – maintaining they are a population implanted by Britain – the veteran suggests Washington “be the voice of the islanders in the negotiation.”
Under his proposal, the islands would become an autonomous territory with parliamentary representation in both Buenos Aires and London, while defence and foreign affairs would remain jointly managed.
“We need to reach an agreement and that will benefit all of us. And who is better than the war veterans to propose an agreement?” said Diego, who insisted on “giving the islanders a place at the table.”
With joint sovereignty, Argentina could gain more than it has today and the islanders could benefit from improved infrastructure and health services, the veteran argued. Britain, meanwhile, could reduce the long-term costs associated with maintaining the military base at Mount Pleasant and subsidising logistics links to the islands.
He also floated the possibility of the United States gaining access to the Mount Pleasant base as part of any agreement, with the facility potentially used by combined Argentine, British and US forces.
Diego’s stance is shaped by the current geopolitical context. Argentina’s President Javier Milei has a close relationship with his US counterpart Donald Trump, while relations between London and Washington are strained. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer refused to back Trump’s action on Iran and the leaked email in late April was framed as a form of retribution for that lack of support.
Pushback
Diego served in the Argentine Navy aboard the logistics vessel ARA Bahía Buen Suceso during the 1982 war. He says his views evolved over time through conversations with both Argentine and British veterans, as well as islanders affected by the conflict.
He recalled a particularly emotional visit to Darwin Cemetery, where many Argentine soldiers are buried, citing a “mystical” experience at the grave of a comrade he had buried in the middle of the war
“He told me we will honour them the day we reach an agreement with the islanders and with Britain,” the veteran recalled.
Still, the joint sovereignty proposal sparked backlash in Manchester. Some attendees raised their hands, voiced respectful disagreements and asserted the islanders’ right to self-determination.
Among those present was Richard Hyslop, the islands’ representative to the UK and Europe, who had remained silent up until that point. He later criticised Argentina’s sovereignty claim and reiterated that islanders alone should decide their future.
Despite the critics, Diego thinks that it would give them the “advantage” of being heard by both countries. “The Malvinas could be an autonomous province, with Argentina and Britain handling only defence and foreign affairs as Britain does today. They would also belong to another country and part of Mercosur. It’s impressive what could be done,” he argued.
In recent years, Diego has promoted reconciliation initiatives between former combatants from both countries, including rugby matches organised through the Rugby Without Borders foundation.
He briefly made national headlines in 2024, when President Milei returned Diego’s Malvinas Combatant Medal after it had been stolen, and today teaches engineering at the University of Buenos Aires.
Diego stressed that his proposal was only an initial draft. He hopes others with diplomatic or political experience will build on the idea.
“I don’t want to die without seeing the Malvinas dispute resolved in honour of the heroes who died there,” he said.
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by Diego Sánchez, from Manchester
