The United Kingdom has thrown its support behind businesses and individuals operating in the Falkland Islands after an Argentine federal judge ordered British and Israeli companies to suspend development of an oil project near the disputed territory.
UK Minister for Overseas Territories, Uma Kumaran, said the British government would continue to support businesses supplying goods and services to the Falkland Islands, including companies operating in the hydrocarbons sector.
In a statement published on Friday, Kumaran said the UK recognised the Falkland Islands’ right to develop their natural resources.
“The UK is clear: the Falkland Islands are British and they have the right to develop their natural resources as they see fit. This is an integral part of their right of self-determination,” she said.
The statement followed an order by Argentine federal judge Mariel Borruto directing companies involved in the Sea Lion oil project to halt development activities pending an environmental review by Argentine authorities.
The project, located about 220 kilometres north of the Falkland Islands, involves British oil and gas company Rockhopper Exploration and Israel’s Navitas Petroleum. The court order reportedly covers drilling, offshore installations and port construction.
Argentina has stepped up legal and political pressure on companies involved in oil exploration around the Falkland Islands, which it refers to as the Malvinas, as President Javier Milei’s government intensifies its sovereignty claim over the British-administered territory.
On September 17, the Argentine government introduced legislation seeking tougher penalties for companies, shareholders and suppliers involved in what it considers unauthorised exploitation of natural resources around the islands.
The move followed earlier legal complaints against companies involved in the Sea Lion project. Argentina has argued that activities related to natural resources in the area fall under its sovereignty claims, while the UK maintains that Argentina has no jurisdiction over the Falkland Islands or businesses operating in connection with the territory.
Kumaran described Argentina’s actions against businesses linked to the Falkland Islands as unacceptable and said the UK government and its diplomatic network would continue to support affected companies and individuals.
She added that the UK would work with the Falkland Islands Government to protect the territory’s economic interests and support opportunities for businesses.
The sovereignty dispute between Britain and Argentina has persisted for decades. Argentina claims the islands, which it calls the Malvinas, while the UK has administered the Falkland Islands since 1833, apart from Argentina’s brief occupation during the 1982 Falklands War.
Tensions also spilled into football in July 2026 following Argentina’s 2–1 World Cup semi-final victory over England, when Argentine players Lisandro Martínez and Giovani Lo Celso were reported to have displayed a banner bearing the words “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” during celebrations.
The incident prompted the UK Government to call for FIFA to investigate the display, while FIFA subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings against the Argentine Football Association over several incidents during the tournament.
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