Argentina Files Criminal Complaint Against Oil Firms Operating in Falklands

Argentina's government announced Tuesday it will file a criminal complaint against oil and gas companies operating in the Falkland Islands, including Israeli firms. The Argentine presidential ministry stated on X that Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno and Attorney General Sebastián Amerio will file the complaint against five companies involved in oil and gas infrastructure development in the British-controlled, disputed islands, which Argentina calls the "Malvinas Islands" and claims sovereignty over.

The complaint targets Israel's Navitas company and two of its subsidiaries, Canada's JHI Associates, and Canada's Echo, led by Israeli CEO Gil Holtzman. The action is directed at all individuals involved with these companies, including executives and representatives, for the exploration and/or exploitation of hydrocarbons in the Falklands/Malvinas region, which Argentina deems a violation of its laws and an infringement on its natural resources and sovereignty.

"For this reason, the country will continue the investigation and encourage the necessary actions so that no action that violates the sovereign rights of the Argentine Republic goes unpunished," the statement read. This official announcement follows Argentine President Javier Milei's declaration last week of promoting sanctions against companies exploiting the Falklands' natural resources without Buenos Aires' approval and establishing a military base in the country's south.

Separately, in a British television interview last week, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the sovereignty issue of the islands, declining to state if he would support Britain if Argentina asserted sovereignty over the territory. When asked, Trump responded, "Your country (Britain) is not doing well, a high percentage of the oil you get is from the Strait of Hormuz, but you weren't there to help me."