World · Latin America · 1 hr ago
Argentina asks international tribunal to halt UK-authorized oil activity near Falklands
Argentina has asked an international tribunal to halt British-authorized oil and gas activity near the Falkland Islands.
The request seeks provisional measures from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to stop activity on the continental shelf of the Northern Falklands Basin.
Britain controls the islands, while Argentina claims them, and tensions between the two countries have escalated.
Last month, Argentina’s government proposed tougher penalties for companies and people involved in natural-resource activities around the islands without Argentine authorization.
That proposed law has not yet been approved by Congress and would revise a 2011 law.
Britain says it will stand firm and supports the islanders’ right to self-determination.
Oil companies involved in the Sea Lion project have said they do not expect Argentina’s actions to derail its development.
Argentina has asked an international tribunal to order a halt to British-authorized hydrocarbon activity near the Falkland Islands.
The request for provisional measures was filed with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
Argentina said it aims to protect its sovereign rights over its continental shelf and stop what it called unilateral and illegal UK-authorized activity.
The UK controls the Falkland Islands, which Argentina claims.
The filing comes amid escalating tensions over the territory and offshore natural resources.
- Who
- Argentina's government filed the request against British-authorized activity.
- What
- It asked for provisional measures to halt hydrocarbon activity in the Northern Falklands Basin.
- When
- October 13, 2026.
- Where
- The continental shelf of the Northern Falklands Basin, near the Falkland Islands.
- Why
- Argentina said it sought to protect its sovereign rights over its continental shelf and stop activities it considers unilateral and illegal.
Argentina
United Kingdom
Sovereignty
Argentina
Argentina says it has sovereign rights over the continental shelf and calls the UK-authorized activities unilateral and illegal.
United Kingdom
The UK controls the Falkland Islands and has defended the islanders’ right to self-determination.
Oil activity
Argentina
Argentina’s request seeks to prevent the UK from exploiting hydrocarbon resources in the basin.
United Kingdom
The UK has said it would stand firm in the face of threats.
President Javier Milei's government presented legislation to increase penalties for companies and individuals involved in unauthorized resource activities.
Argentina said it had filed a request for provisional measures with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
- Tribunal
- International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
- Filing date
- October 13, 2026
- Target area
- Northern Falklands Basin continental shelf
- Territory
- The UK controls the Falkland Islands, which Argentina claims
- Oil project owners
- Navitas Petroleum and Rockhopper Exploration
What people are saying
seeks to preserve Argentina's sovereign rights over its continental shelf and prevent activities authorized unilaterally and illegally by the United Kingdom
Sources
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