Argentinians lack faith in Javier Milei to deliver return of Falkland Islands from UK
Argentinians lack faith in firebrand leader Javier Milei to deliver a return of the Falkland Islands, a new opinion poll has revealed.
A poll conducted by Zuban Córdoba y Asociados found that 55.2 per cent believe Milei’s position is “favourable” to the UK.
An additional 57.1 per cent believe he “does not give priority to this country’s sovereign claim” over the islands.
Milei recently admitted the Falkland Islands are currently “in the hands of the UK”.
He even described former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as “brilliant”.
Milei said: “Criticising someone because of their nationality or race is very intellectually precarious.
“I have heard lots of speeches by Margaret Thatcher. She was brilliant. So what’s the problem?”
Milei later admitted it could take decades for Buenos Aires to seize control of the Falklands and stressed Argentina does not “seek conflict”.
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Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron visited the Falkland Islands earlier this year, provoking a response from figures across Argentina.
During his visit, the former Prime Minister said: “The Falkland Islands are a valued part of the British family, and we are clear that as long as they want to remain part of the family, the issue of sovereignty will not be up for discussion.
“The Falkland Islanders should be proud of the modern, prosperous community they have built.
“The islands are a thriving economy, where as well as farming and fishing, there is a priority given to conservation and sustainability.”
However, Milei said he wanted the islands, known as Malvinas, to become Argentine “within the framework of peace”.
“We are not going to relinquish our sovereignty, nor are we going to seek conflict with the United Kingdom,” he said.
The same poll from Zuban Córdoba y Asociados found that a majority of people – 53.2 per cent – disapproved of his administration.
Milei’s rhetoric is notably tamer than his left-wing predecessor Alberto Fernandez, who called the islands “stolen land” and the UK’s claim on them “disgusting”.
Argentina claims sovereignty of the Falklands by suggesting it was territory inherited following independence in 1816.
However, the British claim dates back to 1690 when they made the first recorded landing on the islands.
Despite Buenos Aires’ unwavering commitment to taking the Falklands, a referendum held in 2013 revealed more than 99 per cent of residents want to remain part of the UK.