Why is Argentina reigniting the Falklands dispute?

Video Duration 27 minutes 25 seconds 27: 25.

Key points

• His push to reclaim the islands was bolstered by United States President Donald Trump's comment that he may reconsider Washington's position on the territory.
• Diego Guelar – Former Argentinian ambassador to the US, European Union and China.
• It has been dormant for decades, but the row between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands has been revived.
• Christopher Sabatini – Director of the Latin America programme at Chatham House.
• It began with a joint British-Israeli oil exploration project off the archipelago's north coast, to which Buenos Aires vehemently objected.

President Javier Milei notes sovereignty over the islands remains a national objective.

It began with a joint British-Israeli oil exploration project off the archipelago's north coast, to which Buenos Aires vehemently objected. President Javier Milei has now threatened to sanction firms operating there.

Britain and Argentina went to war over the islands more than four decades ago. Could the dispute escalate into another armed confrontation?

Christopher Sabatini – Director of the Latin America programme at Chatham House. Javier Farje – Journalist and historian specialising in Latin American affairs. Published On 5 Sep 20265 Sep 2026.

In short, why is Argentina reigniting the Falklands dispute? Is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.