Argentina’s government is preparing to file a criminal complaint against Israeli energy company Navitas Petroleum, its subsidiaries and senior executives over oil operations near the disputed Falkland Islands, as President Javier Milei moves to intensify pressure on companies operating in the territory.

The complaint will be filed by Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, with Buenos Aires accusing the companies of conducting unauthorized energy activity in an area Argentina claims as its sovereign territory.

Navitas, which is traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, holds a 65% stake in the Sea Lion oil project in the northern basin of the Falkland Islands. Argentina claims the company is violating Argentine law by operating under licenses issued by Britain.

The move follows Milei’s announcement that Argentina would impose sanctions on companies involved in oil and gas drilling around the disputed islands, which Argentina refers to as the Malvinas.

The controversy has also drawn Israeli political attention. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to recognize Argentine sovereignty over the islands and impose sanctions on Britain in response to planned British measures against Israel. Milei subsequently shared Ben Gvir’s statement on X.

The Falkland Islands have been controlled by Britain for nearly two centuries but remain claimed by Argentina, with the sovereignty dispute leading to the 1982 Falklands War between the two countries.

The latest action creates an unusual diplomatic complication between Argentina and Israel at a time when Milei has emerged as one of Israel’s strongest international supporters.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)