Argentina Orders Halt to Falkland Islands Oil Project

An Argentine federal judge has ordered British and Israeli companies to halt the Sea Lion oil project off the Falkland Islands. Judge Mariel Borruto issued the injunction barring drilling, port construction, and offshore installations pending an environmental review, stating that risks to the marine ecosystem are "neither hypothetical nor remote."

Javier Milei has intensified the sovereignty dispute by filing criminal complaints against Navitas Petroleum and nine other firms. The Argentine government summoned the ambassadors of the United Kingdom and Israel to protest the project, claiming it violates UN General Assembly Resolution 31/49 and domestic law criminalizing unauthorized hydrocarbon exploration on Argentina's continental shelf. Prosecutor Carlos Stornelli is investigating executives from Rockhopper Exploration and Navitas for alleged money laundering, environmental damage, and breaches of the Pino Solanas Law, with some charges carrying potential prison sentences of up to 20 years.

The Government of the United Kingdom rejected the ruling and the diplomatic protests, asserting that Argentine domestic law does not apply within the islands. Navitas stated it is operating with the approval of the Falkland Islands government and UK support. While the UK maintains that residents should determine the territory's status, President Milei cited "winds of change" following comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who questioned if the UK would be willing to travel the distance to retake the islands. Rockhopper Exploration and Navitas Petroleum have vowed to proceed with the project, targeting commercial production by 2028.