Argentina's foreign minister vows to stop Falklands from exploiting its offshore oilfields in sovereignty push

From the Newshound archive · first published 6 October 2026.

Argentina's foreign minister Pablo Quirno told a thinktank audience in Buenos Aires that his government intends to prevent the Falkland Islands from developing oil reserves in surrounding waters, framing the move as part of President Javier Milei's broader sovereignty campaign. Quirno made the remarks in the presence of David Cairns, the UK's ambassador to Argentina, who departed shortly after the speech concluded. Quirno charged that the British government was rejecting negotiations while unilaterally pushing forward a major oil project in disputed waters.

Milei condemned the North Falkland Basin oil development as an 'unlawful act' at last month's UN General Assembly.

Quirno said 'preventing the exploitation of our resources from consolidating the British occupation' is central to Argentina's peaceful sovereignty strategy.

The UK ambassador was photographed listening to the speech before walking out — a pointed diplomatic signal from both sides.