Britain has appealed to Interpol to reject Argentina's requests for the arrest of individuals involved in an oil project off the Falkland Islands, citing political motivation behind the move.
The UK government sent a letter to Interpol's headquarters in Lyon arguing that Argentina's "red notice" requests for arrest, including of British nationals connected to the Sea Lion oil project, should be treated as politically motivated. The project, located in the North Falkland Basin, could triple the Falklands' GDP. Argentina's President Javier Milei has vowed to block it.
Interpol responded to the UK correspondence by stating it would respect article 3 of its constitution, which forbids intervention in political matters. However, concerns persist that Argentina could convince Interpol member states that its requests are grounded in domestic law rather than politics.
UK officials characterised Argentina's strategy as an attempt to intimidate and deter investment in the Falklands. The intensity of pressure has reached levels not seen since the 1982 war, according to government sources. Andrea Clausen, chief executive of the Falklands government, confirmed the Interpol threat but expressed hope the organisation would not act on the requests.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told MPs the UK would protect businesses in the Falklands using protection of trading interests legislation. The law allows the UK to forbid British individuals and companies from complying with specific foreign laws and opens the possibility of damages claims in UK courts for those affected by Argentine legal pressure.
Miliband stated: "The UK's support for the Falkland Islands is steadfast. Argentina's attempts to intimidate businesses and individuals engaged in legitimate commercial activity are unacceptable. Companies should be free to make lawful commercial decisions without the threat of political coercion."
Argentina has initiated criminal proceedings against Navitas, an Israeli company, and British partner Rockhopper Exploration, the core Sea Lion companies. A draft national sovereignty bill before Argentina's congress would expand sanctions to include affiliates, financial intermediaries, shareholders and suppliers. Workers in Falklands oil and fishing sectors expressed concern about potential targeting if they travel, particularly to South America.
Argentina is expected to request arbitration under the UN convention on the law of the sea over the oil project, claiming the UK breaches a UN resolution by making unilateral modifications to the sovereignty dispute. UK government sources expressed confidence that the UN body will not intervene in the sovereignty question.