Argentinian veterans who fought in the Falklands War have rallied against President Javier Milei’s latest move to claim the islands.
Veterans’ groups accused the Argentine President for using the South Atlantic islands as political distraction from the country’s domestic problems.
This comes as Mr Milei threatened to “take matters into our own hands” over their dispute of Falklands sovereignty during his UN General Assembly address.
Speaking from New York this afternoon, he said: “For us, the Malvinas are a national cause. I repeat, the Malvinas for us are a national cause.”
He continued: “Argentina is not going to sit around waiting for the UN and the international community to live up to their own mandate.
โWeโre going to take matters into our own hands.โ
Mr Milei also vowed earlier this month to “prevail” in efforts to take the Falkland Islands, while beginning proceedings to sanction more than 60 companies linked to an offshore drilling project.
The US also announced it would be reviewing its position on the British territory, to which America has historically been neutral.
Mr Milei spoke about the Falkland Islands from the UN General Assembly in New York today
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Ramรณn Robles, who served in Argentina’s 4th Airborne Artillery Group, told the Telegraph he is untrusting of Mr Milei.
Mr Robles, 64, who presides over the La Matanza War Veterans Centre, said: “I think he is a liar, a crazy person who says all this kind of thing to distract people’s attention and carry on putting the squeeze on people financially.
“Everything he said is completely made up in order to distract people.”
Despite tackling hyperinflation, formal employment is shrinking for Argentinians and real wages are lower than before Mr Milei took office.
During the 74-day conflict in 1982, 255 British military and 649 Argentine military personnel lost their lives
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This economic reality is being reflected in Mr Milei’s approval ratings – which are near the lowest point of his three-year-long presidency.
Following his announcement to push harder on claims to the Falklands, 61 per cent of Argentines said they believed the move was out of convenience, MercoPress, a Latin news agency, said.
Oscar Mendoza, 64, president of the Confederation of Malvinas Veterans, likened Mr Milei’s conduct to that of General Leopoldo Galtieri – the Argentine dictator who ordered the 1982 invasion of the Falklands, partly in an attempt to shore up his crumbling regime.
Mr Mendoza said: “For me, what Mr Milei is doing at the moment is a desperate move.
“At the moment, it is useful to the Argentine government as a way of generating something, or creating expectations within the country, because the economic circumstances in our country are extremely pressing.”
The La Plata Malvinas Veterans’ Centre (CECIM) has accused Mr Milei’s Government of hypocrisy over its stance on the Falklands.
In a press statement, the group criticised the President’s past praise for Margaret Thatcher.
It also condemned a decision by Argentine security minister Alejandra Monteoliva to ban “Las Malvinas” signs from the World Cup semi-final against England.
The group said: “We have witnessed the highest level of hypocrisy from a government and a president.”
CECIM also accused Mr Milei of undermining Argentine sovereignty through his attempt to pass property legislation.
The proposed law would have removed all restrictions on land purchases by foreign buyers.
Facing likely defeat in the Senate and considerable public opposition, the Argentine President was ultimately forced to withdraw the reforms.
Prior to Mr Milei publicly threatening sanctions, CECIM had already launched legal action over oil drilling near the Falklands.
On September 2, the group filed a case asking the judiciary to halt the Sea Lion oil-drilling project.
The legal action targeted British firm Rockhopper Exploration and Israeli company Navitas.
Two days later, Mr Milei unveiled plans for legislation to penalise oil companies operating in waters surrounding the islands.
CECIM suggested the timing of this escalation was no coincidence.
The group said: “This is about the decline of the government, both in terms of its performance and its public image, resorting this time to the Falklands as a lifeline to hide its corruption and its political actions aimed at giving away the country’s interests.
“The fact is that he realised the Falklands generate the greatest consensus among the Argentine people, and he wants to use that.”
Oscar Mendoza, whose organisation campaigns for veterans’ social, health and pension rights, also criticised Mr Milei’s austerity programme.
He said he saw little hope of improved support for veterans, pointing to cuts affecting pensioners and disabled people.
He added education and healthcare funding had also been cut.
During the 74-day conflict in 1982, 255 British military and 649 Argentine military personnel lost their lives.
Mr Milei’s renewed focus on the Falklands comes as Donald Trump has increasingly weighed in on the territorial dispute.
Asked whether the US would support Britain in the event of an Argentinian invasion, Mr Trump pointed to the UK’s reluctance to become involved in the conflict with Iran.
He told reporters: “Your country was not there to help me.”


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