Argentina’s foreign minister accused the UK of sending a navy warship on a “military incursion” near the Falklands Islands – hours after its national team beat England to a spot in the World Cup final.
Pablo Quirno claimed the HMS Medway – the Royal Navy’s guard ship in overseas territory disputed by Argentina – made an “unconsulted and illegal journey” in Argentine waters, the country’s foreign office said in a notice shared on X Wednesday.
“The Argentine government firmly rejects this British military incursion into areas under Argentine jurisdiction,” he said in the notice, which was dated Monday, claiming it marked a United Nations resolution violation.
The supposed “incursion” was over the July 4 weekend — but Argentina only made the accusation Wednesday, soon after its national soccer team beat England in a hotly contested match that ended with some Argentinian players holding a banner translated as, “The Falklands Islands are Argentine.”
Quirno said a “formal note of protest” about the warship had been submitted to the British embassy.
He claimed the Buenos Aires government was not informed – claims heavily disputed by the UK, which described the voyage as an “innocent passage,” the Sun reported.
The ship traveled through Argentine waters on July 4 ahead of a trip to Punta Arenas, Chile, supporting operations in Antarctica.
“HMS Medway undertook a routine logistics visit to Punta Arenas on 5-8 July supporting British Antarctic Survey operations, delivering essential stores and supplies to sustain scientific research in Antarctica,” a UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson told the Sun.
“The transit from the Falkland Islands to Chile and back was carried out via the most direct practicable route, considering operational safety and weather factors to ensure timely delivery.”
The Falklands is known as Islas Malvinas in Spanish – and the archipelago was invaded by Argentine forces in 1982 – only to be decisively defeated by then-UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s military offensive two months later.
But Argentina has long considered the islanders to be “transplanted people,” disputing British sovereignty.
Some Argentine soccer stars celebrated Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final win with a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” which translates as “The Falklands Islands are Argentine.”
Argentina will now face Spain on Sunday at New Jersey’s MetLife stadium in the World Cup final.
