Why does argentina want falkland islands

It is in exercising this right that we have chosen to retain our links with the UK. This fundamental right is being ignored by the Argentine Government, who are denying our right to exist as a people, and denying our right to live peacefully in our home. We are not a colony of the United Kingdom; we are a British Overseas Territory by choice, which is something entirely different.

We are not governed by Britain: we are entirely self-governing, except for defence and foreign affairs. We democratically elect our Legislative Assembly Members; they are chosen by the people of the Falkland Islands to represent them and to determine and administer our own policies and legislation.

We are economically self-sufficient, except for the cost of defence — for which there would be no need were it not for the claim made by an aggressive neighbour. Through our own efforts, our economy allows us to enjoy excellent health services and education provision, with Falkland Islanders studying for their A-levels and degrees overseas, paid for by the Falkland Islands Government.

It is testament to the strong bond our young people have with their home that nearly all return on completion of their studies and having gained experience in their chosen fields. The Argentine Government claims that the UK is exploiting the natural resources of the region; an absurd claim on a number of fronts. Firstly, we manage our own resources. Our farming practices are largely organic, our ecotourism industry is famous across the world, our fisheries are internationally acclaimed for their responsible management and sustainability, and our developing oil industry is managed by our Government and regulated to the highest international standards.

Our environment is very much our home, and as such we value and protect it. As far as we are concerned, sovereignty is not up for discussion.

On all other fronts, we want nothing more than to have a relationship of cooperation for mutual benefit with Argentina and all of our neighbours. The 1, Falkland Islanders, mostly English-speaking sheep farmers, awaited a British response.

The Falkland Islands, located about miles off the southern tip of Argentina, had long been claimed by the British. British navigator John Davis may have sighted the islands in , and in British Navy Captain John Strong made the first recorded landing on the islands.

In , the British settled West Falkland but left in for economic reasons. Spain abandoned its settlement in In Argentina declared its independence from Spain and in proclaimed its sovereignty over the Falklands. In , a British force expelled the remaining Argentine officials and began a military occupation.

In , a British lieutenant governor was appointed, and by the s a British community of some 1, people on the islands was self-supporting. In , the wind-blown Falkland Islands were collectively granted colonial status. For the next 90 years, life on the Falklands remained much unchanged, despite persistent diplomatic efforts by Argentina to regain control of the islands. In , the Falkland Islanders voted in a referendum to remain British, and it seemed unlikely that the Falklands would ever revert to Argentine rule.

Meanwhile, in Argentina, the military junta led by Lieutenant General Leopoldo Galtieri was suffering criticism for its oppressive rule and economic management, and planned the Falklands invasion as a means of promoting patriotic feeling and propping up its regime. Under orders from their commanders, the Argentine troops inflicted no British casualties, despite suffering losses to their own units. The introduction of sanctions and the removal of foreign investment would see further damage to the Argentine economy, resulting in further issues in its GDP and levels of poverty.

It has been made clear by the UK that it would rely on the opinion and defend the rights of the people of the Falklands. This has been upheld through referendums on nationality and sovereignty , and sentiment between the Falklands and the UK does not seem to have changed in nearly 40 years.

The UK is more likely therefore to retaliate to bold advancements made by the Argentine government towards the Falklands, because it believes it is upholding the will of the people — The outcome from the Argentine government will more likely focus on a more peaceful stance than its counterpart. A hardened stance from Argentina will likely be felt across Latin America as sanctions from the UK ripple outwards from Argentina. Fernandez has seemingly learnt from the mistakes of the Galtieri government despite facing similar economic troubles.

He has claimed that it would be impossible for Argentina to militarily retake the Falklands and suggested he would review the UK-Argentine joint agreement , during the electoral campaigns in The renegotiations of the agreement would likely focus on the demilitarisation of the Falklands and developments in joint access to the oil reserves.

It is likely that if the reopening of negotiations fail through disinterest by the UK and UN, Argentina will continue to roll out new policies seeking the inclusion of the Falklands into Argentine sovereignty. These would likely take the form of sanctions on the region and continued international campaigning. These campaigns are likely to provide Fernandez with domestic support, and possibly regional support from post-colonial states such as Venezuela and Bolivia who are inhabited by anti-colonial governments.

A renewed interest in the region is unsurprising, and it is likely from the events in Argentina that Fernandez will seek peaceful diplomatic negotiations to the Falklands issue before seeking more aggressive policies. In , the solution that the government sought after was distraction and the military occupation of the Falklands. James specializes in political developments relating to nationalism and populism throughout different regions of the world.

James is interested in the geopolitical developments in Latin America as well as sub-state nationalism in Europe. Argentina: A Second Falklands Brewing? Categories: Latin America , Security.