The UK has reiterated that its support for the Falkland Islands is \u201cunwavering\u201d, while Argentina has promised \u201cwinds of change\u201d for the archipelago over which it claims sovereignty.<\/p>\n
So what? Britain and Argentina\u2019s positions are well-established. But Washington\u2019s is increasingly mercurial. With that, Andy Burnham is up against<\/p>\n
\u2022<\/p>\n
Javier Milei, the Argentine president, who is being pressured by poor approval ratings and a pro-military riv`al to take a more belligerent stance over the Falklands;<\/p>\n
\u2022<\/p>\n
Donald Trump, the US president, who is potentially willing to give Milei a helping hand;<\/p>\n
\u2022<\/p>\n
Labour\u2019s fiscal rules, which make it exceedingly difficult to satisfy Trump.<\/p>\n
Mine, no mine. John Strong, an English captain, made the first recorded landing on the Falklands in 1690. Although Britain claimed the islands in 1765, France founded a settlement there a year earlier. Spain also regarded the archipelago as its own due to papal decrees and a peace treaty.<\/p>\n
More history. The Spanish bought the colony from the French in 1767, then expelled the British settlers. The settlers were allowed to return but the question of ownership was still disputed.<\/p>\n
Fast forward. Spain and Britain both withdrew their settlements, which allowed a ship from a colony that later became Argentina to take possession of the islands. Argentina tried to establish a military base in 1832, but Britain reasserted its claim and set up an administration.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fast forward again. Argentine forces invaded in 1982. They took control of the archipelago after 149 years of continuous British rule. A subsequent 10-week war killed 649 members of the Argentine military, 255 members of the British military, and three islanders. British forces, with US assistance, recaptured the Falklands.<\/p>\n
And yet, Argentina never renounced its claim.<\/p>\n
What each side says. Argentina\u2019s position is that it inherited the Falklands, which are 300 miles from Argentina and 8,000 miles from Britain, when it became independent from Spain. Britain\u2019s position is that what matters is what the 3,600-or-so Falkland Islanders want. In 2013, 99.8% voted in favour of remaining a British overseas territory.<\/p>\n
Political football. But the strength of feeling in Argentina is such that after its men\u2019s football team beat England in the World Cup semi-final this summer, two players unfurled a banner on the pitch. It read \u201cLas Malvinas son Argentinas\u201d, or \u201cthe Falklands are Argentinian\u201d.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s what Milei thinks too. In a national broadcast last week, the Argentine president described islanders as an \u201cimplanted population in an usurped territory\u201d. But Milei also has an economic interest. He has called the Sea Lion oilfield, 130 miles from the islands in the North Falkland Basin,\u00a0a \u201cclear and present danger\u201d and has threatened to sanction the British firm and Israeli firm planning to extract oil from it. The oilfield holds an estimated 1.7bn barrels of oil.<\/p>\n
Sign up to newsletters from The Observer<\/p>\n
Clear, calm analysis on the stories driving the day\u2019s news.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n