Argentina is escalating its long-running dispute over the Falkland Islands by preparing criminal charges against energy company Navitas Petroleum and members of its leadership for operating in the disputed territory.
The announcement comes after Argentine President Javier Milei said on Friday that his government would move to sanction oil companies drilling in the British overseas territory, underscoring Buenos Aires’ renewed push to assert sovereignty claims.
In a statement from the presidency, the government said Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno will lodge a criminal complaint naming several Navitas subsidiaries and partners active in the islands, as well as their corporate directors.
Navitas did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Argentine officials allege the companies breached Argentine law by holding hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation licences granted by the United Kingdom for work in the North Falkland Basin.
Mr Milei last week pointed specifically to the Sea Lion offshore oil project when outlining measures aimed at firms involved in Falklands oil and gas operations, with penalties that could also reach shareholders, directors and suppliers.
The Sea Lion field is operated by Tel Aviv-listed Navitas Petroleum, which owns a 65% stake.
Gideon Tadmor, a well-known name in Israel’s energy industry and Navitas’ chair, holds roughly 9% of the company’s shares, according to LSEG data.
