Argentines on Friday (September 4) voiced support for President Javier Milei's hardline stance on the Falklands Islands after his televised address threatened tougher sanctions against unauthorized oil operations near the disputed archipelago.

The libertarian president announced plans to submit urgent legislation to Congress to expand penalties for companies and suppliers involved in petroleum extraction around the British-controlled territory, which Argentina calls Las Malvinas and has claimed for decades.

Milei's shift towards a more confrontational approach followed U.S. President Donald Trump's recent statements suggesting reconsideration of Washington's neutral position on the remote South Atlantic islands.

Buenos Aires residents interviewed near the Malvinas war memorial expressed strong backing for Argentina's sovereignty claims, with accountant Mariana Hamicha, 49, calling the president's position "a way of marking our territory" against foreign exploitation.

The Sea Lion oil field, located 220 kilometers north of the islands and operated by Tel Aviv-listed Navitas Petroleum and London-listed Rockhopper Exploration, contains an estimated 1.7 billion barrels of oil. Shares in Rockhopper fell 6% following Milei's announcement, while Navitas dropped 2%, though both companies maintained their operations held valid licenses.

Argentina and Britain fought a two-month war over the archipelago in 1982 that killed 649 Argentines and 255 Britons.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (SEPTEMBER 4, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. TRAFFIC IN THE CITY OF BUENOS AIRES

2. PEOPLE WALKING

3. NEWSPAPER STAND

4. VARIOUS OF NEWSPAPER HEADLINES REFLECTING THE FALKLANDS (ARGENTINA CALLS THE ISLANDS 'MALVINAS') ISSUE ON THEIR FRONT PAGES AFTER PRESIDENT MILEI'S NATIONAL ADDRESS

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SELF-EMPLOYED WORKER, CESAR PEREYRA, SAYING:

"Regarding the self-determination of the inhabitants, I don't think it's appropriate because that was taken illegally. The people who live there now say they are natives or whatever they want, but it's Argentine national sovereignty."

6. VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS ARRIVING AT THE MALVINAS WAR CENOTAPH

7. VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS RAISING THE ARGENTINE FLAG

8. ARGENTINE FLAG WAVING

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ACCOUNTANT, MARIANA HAMICHA, SAYING:

"I believe that taking a stand in a certain way, especially regarding the exploitation by foreign companies and oil extraction, could be a way of, I'd say, marking our territory, of saying: well, Argentina is present here, is watching what happens and we're also protecting our rights, of course."

10. VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS GUARDING THE WAR MEMORIAL

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ACCOUNTANT, MARIANA HAMICHA, SAYING:

"I believe there has always been a line of support from the United States to the current government, and we must always look at everything from different perspectives because sometimes the support can be useful for us as Argentines, but other times there are interests behind it and, well, we must be, I think as citizens, also be attentive to what is the message, right? Why is such a cause supported or not, if there's an interest in participating later. Everything always has a double face, but the backing of the United States I think is important at this moment because it provides support at a global level."

12. VARIOUS OF FALKLANDS WAR MEMORIAL

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) TAILOR, HERIBERTO SOBRERO, SAYING:

"I believe there are enough means of communication to reach an agreement. Diplomacy is always the path. The defence of nationality and the defence of territories I think are fundamental. And, obviously, the Malvinas are Argentine and so it must be by law, by norm, by tradition, by all known means. I think we must defend sovereignty."

14. VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF ARGENTINE FOREIGN MINISTRY

15. ARGENTINE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT HOUSE