The threat from Argentina against the Falkland Islands “has not changed”, an islander has said. Leona Roberts, who is a member of the islands’ legislative assembly, said: “Argentina is always a bit of a shadow over our shoulder.”
Ms Roberts was asked if islanders felt more insecure now than any time since the Falklands War in 1982, when Britain’s Armed Forces battled for 74 days to free the islands after Argentinian troops invaded. She told Sky News that “the threat and the situation… has not changed”, adding she felt confident Britain would continue its protection of the self-governing British Overseas Territory.
The question came after the international order was upended with the return to the White House of US President Donald Trump, who himself has talked of the United States taking over Greenland and turning Canada into the 51st state.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei has said he won’t give up his country’s claim to the islands, which are known to Argentinians as Las Malvinas.
In November, he told an Argentinian radio station that his government was determined to “recover” the archipelago, but doing so would be the result of diplomatic efforts.
He told Radio Rivadavia his government was working hard on the diplomatic front to recover the Falkland Islands and Buenos Aires would exhaust all roads to that end.
His critics in Argentina have suggested his close relationship with Mr Trump and wish for Argentina to join the NATO military alliance mean he has abandoned his country’s claims over sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
Ms Roberts described the islands as a strategically important gateway for research and maritime operations around the South Atlantic and Antarctica.
She said islanders take nothing for granted in relation to UK protection, adding the Falklands are “very grateful” for Britain’s continued support.
Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF) has maintained a presence in the Falkland Islands since 1985, with a single flight of four Tranche 1 Typhoon fighter jets based at RAF Mount Pleasant.
The Royal Navy also operates a patrol frigate in the South Atlantic. A patrol vessel also monitors the islands’ territorial waters. On land, the Royal Artillery operate the Sky Sabre air defence system.
The Falklands War was an undeclared war between Argentina and Britain over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. It cost more than 900 lives.
Sovereignty over the islands, which are 8,000 miles from the UK, has been contested by Argentina since 1833.
