Milei Slams UN Over Falklands Dispute

Argentine President Javier Milei has criticised the United Nations over its handling of Argentina’s long-running sovereignty dispute with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas.

Milei made the remarks on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, while addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he described the islands as a national cause for Argentina.

The Argentine president accused the UN of failing to enforce its own resolutions and said the organisation had “looked the other way” over the Falklands dispute.

He also criticised the wider performance of the international body, calling it a “useless organisation” and accusing its officials of failing to adequately address security, human rights, violence and international terrorism.

Milei’s comments came as tensions between Argentina and Britain have increased over oil exploration around the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory that has been under British administration since the 19th century and whose sovereignty Argentina continues to contest.

Argentina has objected to British-backed offshore oil development in waters around the islands. Earlier in September, the Argentine government began sanctions proceedings against more than 60 companies and individuals linked to an offshore drilling project.

In his UN address, Milei argued that international resolutions should have consequences when countries act contrary to them. He said Argentina had used legal measures, diplomatic notes and sanctions against companies involved in activities it considers unauthorised.

He nevertheless called for the dispute with Britain to be resolved peacefully and urged London to resume negotiations over the islands’ sovereignty. Argentina’s government said it favours what Milei described as a “peaceful, practical and effective” approach.

The Falklands War between Argentina and Britain took place in 1982 after Argentine forces occupied the islands. Britain regained control following a 74-day conflict in which hundreds of military personnel from both sides were killed.

Britain maintains that the Falkland Islanders have the right to determine their own political and economic future and has rejected Argentina’s sovereignty claim. British officials have also defended the right of businesses operating around the islands to pursue natural-resource projects.

Milei argued that the principle of self-determination should not, in Argentina’s view, determine the sovereignty dispute because he considers the island population to have been established under British control. That position is disputed by Britain, which continues to maintain sovereignty over the territory.

The Argentine president said his government would not simply wait for the UN and international community to act, declaring that Argentina would take measures to defend what it considers its sovereignty and natural resources.

The renewed dispute comes as both countries continue to maintain opposing positions on sovereignty, while efforts to develop offshore oil resources have added another point of tension between Buenos Aires and London.

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