Falkland Islanders urge Canada to back their self-determination at the OAS assembly

MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Friday, June 26th 2026 - 14:09 UTC

The British Overseas Territory, located in the South Atlantic, is claimed by Argentina, which occupied it for ten weeks in 1982 before being driven out by a British naval task force

The Falkland Islands Government has called on Canada to use the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), held this week in Panama, to publicly support the Islanders' right to self-determination. Last week, two members of the archipelago's Legislative Assembly traveled to Ottawa to meet with Global Affairs officials, members of parliament and senators, in search of support.

The British Overseas Territory, located in the South Atlantic, is claimed by Argentina, which occupied it for ten weeks in 1982 before being driven out by a British naval task force. The United Kingdom considers the archipelago sovereign territory, a position backed by its residents, who in a 2013 referendum voted overwhelmingly —99.8% with a 92% turnout— to remain a British Overseas Territory. Argentina, which calls the archipelago the Islas Malvinas, bases its claim on its succession to Spanish sovereignty and regards the United Kingdom as a colonial power.