Buenos Aires, 20 April 2022 (TDI): The Government of Argentina has denounced British military exercises in the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory claimed by Argentina.
The United Kingdom (UK) is carrying out military exercises in the Falkland Islands between April 18 and 29. These forces involved British forces stationed in the Islands, belonging to the Regiment of the Duke of Lancaster.
Together with the Falkland Islands Defense Force, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Air Force, these forces will conduct military exercises.
According to a statement, the British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) said that these military exercises are being carried out to “demonstrate the ability of BFSAI personnel to coordinate and deploy resources for a large-scale exercise.”
Argentina has taken issue with the exercises as it considers the Falkland Islands (known in Argentina as the Malvinas islands) illegally occupied Argentine territory.
It has denounced the exercises as being against several UN resolutions. These resolutions urge both parties to negotiate bilaterally and refrain from taking unilateral actions that damage international security.
According to the Argentine government, the UK’s military exercises in the territory contravenes resolution 31/49 of the UN General Assembly.
This resolution urges both parties to refrain from adopting unilateral decisions that could modify the situation during the negotiation process. Furthermore, the Argentine government reiterated its sovereignty over the islands.
It called on the UK to resolve the dispute bilaterally. Moreover, it reaffirmed its willingness to resume negotiations. The UK acts to protect its territory from potential Argentine military invasion. The United Kingdom, on the other hand, considers the islands legitimate British territory.
The Falklands Dispute
The United Kingdom has exercised de facto sovereignty over the archipelago since 1833. Argentina disputes its claim to sovereignty. Argentina controlled the islands for a few years before 1833.
Both countries went to war over the disputed territories in 1982, when Argentina militarily invaded the islands. The war resulted in a British victory.
