Argentina has declared its determination to reclaim full sovereignty over the Falkland Islands following the UK’s decision to relinquish control of the Chagos Islands. Wales Online reported that Argentina’s foreign minister, Diana Mondino, praised the UK’s move to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and promised concrete actions to ensure that the Falklands, known as the Malvinas to Argentina, are transferred to Buenos Aires.
The Falklands, a British overseas territory that Argentina claims as its own, has been a source of dispute between the two countries. Governor Alison Blake of the Falklands sought to reassure residents that the UK’s commitment to the territory remains strong, highlighting the differences in historical context between the Falklands and Chagos.
The UK Government announced a political agreement with Mauritius over the Chagos Islands, enabling Mauritius to assume sovereignty while maintaining the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia. US President Joe Biden welcomed the agreement, emphasizing its significance for the continued operation of the military facility.
Though the deal has received mixed reactions, with some viewing it positively as a resolution to a longstanding dispute, others have expressed concerns about its implications for UK security. Human rights advocates have also raised issues regarding the treatment of Chagossians who were forced to leave the territory in the 1970s.
Regarding the Falklands, the shadow of the 1982 conflict between the UK and Argentina looms over the current situation. Argentina maintains its claim to the islands, citing historical inheritance from Spain. The joint statement from the UK and Mauritius governments outlined plans for addressing past wrongs and supporting the welfare of Chagossians.
Conservative politicians, including former minister Robert Jenrick, criticised the UK’s decision, calling it a surrender of strategic interests. Former foreign secretary James Cleverly and security minister Tom Tugendhat expressed concerns about potential risks, including China’s increasing presence in the region.
The agreement with Mauritius includes provisions for continued UK-US military presence on Diego Garcia, with financial arrangements to be disclosed later. The British Indian Ocean Territory is considering asylum claims of individuals living on Diego Garcia since 2021, with responsibility for future arrivals transferred to Mauritius under the new agreement.