Argentina to file criminal complaint against Israeli drilling company for operating in Falklands

Argentina announced it will file a criminal complaint against Israeli oil company Navitas Petroleum for operating in the Falkland Islands under a UK license, which Argentina considers illegitimate. The complaint aims to protect natural resources and assert Argentine sovereignty over the disputed territory. The move follows earlier warnings from Argentina's Foreign Ministry.

Argentina's government announced on Monday that it will file a criminal complaint against Navitas Petroleum, an Israeli oil company, for operating in the Falkland Islands under a license from the United Kingdom, which Argentina considers an 'illegitimate government.' The announcement came from President Javier Milei's office and included complaints against several petroleum companies operating in the area. The complaint aims to 'protect natural resources and safeguard the sovereignty of the Argentine Republic over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.' The status of the Falkland Islands is disputed between Argentina and the UK, with both claiming sovereignty. The complaint follows a January report by N12 News that Argentina reportedly delayed moving its embassy to Jerusalem because of bilateral tensions over Navitas's plans to drill oil near the Falkland Islands. The Argentine Foreign Ministry said in December that Navitas, along with partner British company Rockhopper Exploration, had not obtained the proper permits and that their plans were 'unilateral and illegitimate.' The ministry warned of 'potentially irreversible future consequences' if the plan proceeds, with both companies banned from drilling in Argentina for drilling without a permit. Argentine sources told N12 at the time that they considered the plan to be 'the theft of a natural resource that belongs to them.'