Falklands dispute may last decades – Argentina president

Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, has acknowledged that the Falkland Islands are currently under the control of the UK. In an interview with the BBC, the right-wing politician expressed his commitment to pursuing the return of the islands through diplomatic channels, although he acknowledged that there is no quick solution to the issue.

Milei’s stance on the status of the Falklands differs from that of past leaders, who have traditionally asserted Argentina’s sovereignty over the islands. He admitted that achieving sovereignty could take decades and emphasized that Argentina does not seek conflict in this matter.

The president’s comments come after he promised to outline a “roadmap” for the islands’ return to Argentine sovereignty on the 42nd anniversary of the Falklands War in April. He criticized previous politicians for their failure to make progress on the issue despite their vocal demands for sovereignty.

While acknowledging the historical conflict between the UK and Argentina over the Falklands, Milei praised former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for her leadership during the war. He defended his admiration for Thatcher, rejecting criticisms based on nationality or race.

Argentina has long asserted its claim to the Falklands, which lie 300 miles off its coast. However, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, visited the islands in February and reiterated that their sovereignty is not subject to negotiation.

President Milei emphasized that Argentina’s goal is to peacefully reclaim the islands and reiterated the country’s commitment to avoiding conflict with the UK. He acknowledged that reaching a resolution would require long-term negotiations and refused to set a timeframe for achieving this goal.

Milei’s approach marks a departure from the more confrontational rhetoric of his predecessor, Alberto Fernandez, who described the UK’s claim to the islands as “disgusting” and called them “stolen land.” Despite his radical approach to other policies, Milei’s stance on the Falklands issue appears to be more measured and focused on diplomatic engagement.