Security & Strategic Review - October 2026

President Javier Milei’s rhetoric became increasingly nationalist in September as he revived Argentina’s longstanding sovereignty claim over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), which are administered by the UK. Milei has denied that this is just an opportunistic attempt to boost his popularity amid declining approval ratings, while his government has also taken action against companies that explore for oil and gas in the waters surrounding the Falkland Islands. Rather, Milei has attributed his recent focus on the sovereignty dispute to possible signals that his ally, US President Donald Trump, might revise the traditional US stance of neutrality over the dispute.