Argentine escalation regarding the Falkland Islands and measures against an oil project

In a speech broadcast on national television, Milley took advantage of Trump's statements, considering the potential shift as evidence that his close relationship with the American president was "bearing fruit," saying: "The United States is considering this change in position because it knows that Argentina is a reliable partner, aligned with Western values, and in an important strategic location that can be a valuable ally in the coming decades."

Milley announced a series of measures aimed at stopping the development of the “Sea Lion” offshore oil project, located about 220 kilometers north of the islands, where the British company “Rockhopper Exploration” and the Israeli company “Navitas Petroleum” plan to begin drilling in the coming months, and begin production in 2028. Argentina considers the project an illegal exploitation of resources in waters it claims ownership.

The Argentine President threatened to impose harsher sanctions against companies involved in drilling, and announced new funding for a naval base in Tierra del Fuego province, the southernmost province of Argentina, to strengthen the military presence near the islands, stressing that “any additional progress in the Malvinas Islands will be considered a violation of our national security.”

Milley's focus on the Falklands issue represents a remarkable shift for a leader who faced internal criticism because of his previous rapprochement with Britain and his admiration for the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who led the Falklands War in 1982, which resulted in the deaths of 649 Argentine soldiers, 255 British troops, and three islanders.