Argentina President Javier Milei addressed the country about claims to the Falkland Islands amid reports Donald Trump is reviewing the US position on the islands10:14, 04 Sep 2026Updated 13:58, 04 Sep 2026Falkland Islanders have given a clear message as Argentina's President Javier Milei said "winds of change" favoured the country's claim to the islands - "we want to determine our own future."‌In a late-night national address, Milei said British and Israeli oil firm exploration in the Sea Lion oilfield presented a "clear and present danger" and that Argentina "need to recover" the islands. He announced plans to sanction companies involved in any exploration before once again claiming the Falkland Islands were "historically and legally" Argentine - a claim that ignores the islanders desire to remain British citizens.‌Milei's claim the Falklands are Argentine are nothing new, many of the country's leaders have laid claim to the islands which lie about 300 miles east off Patagonia. But more attention was on the announcement after US President Donald Trump, an ally of Milei, previously said Washington's position on the Falkland Islands was under review.‌British officials were quick to back the Falkland Islanders' desire for self-determination. The islanders overwhelmingly voted to remain an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom in 2013, with 99.8 per cent voting "yes" and only three voting "no.""Milei's statement overnight tells us more about domestic policies in Argentina than it does about the Falkland Islands," Secretary of Defence Wes Streeting said in a post shared on X/Twitter. "The Falklands are British because Falkland Islanders choose to be British. Our commitment to the Falklands is absolute and unshakeable."‌He was followed by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in a strident message, saying the UK would "resolutely uphold" the islands' right to self-determination.Many Falkland Islanders continue to live with the memory of the 1982 conflict when the then-military junta-led Argentina invaded the islands before being repelled following a 10-week liberation operation. Britain lost 255 mainly armed forces members killed while the Argentine military dead numbered 649, and the wounded from both sides totalled well over 2,000.Scars from the conflict remain, with military wreckage left rusting, such as the remains of a helicopter lying on the side of one road and adults recalling finding bullet casings while playing on the common near the capital, Stanley.‌But more than 40 years on, Falkland Islanders are working hard to make their lives a success. The overwhelming majority of the island's population lives *in the capital Stanley where roughly 3,660 call it their home."We want the right to self-determination we want to be able to determine our own future and we want to make a success of that future you know," Author Rob Burnett, 44, told The Mirror. Speaking from his house in Stanley, which was occupied by Argentine soldiers during the 74-day conflict in 1982 before being lived in by Welsh Guards following the liberation, said Argentine comments were a distraction.‌"The population has been growing since the conflict, Stanley has grown a lot, industry has grown and we are trying to make a success of the Falklands and we are doing that but it would be nice to do it without the threat and the harassment from Argentina hanging over us."He continued: "The Falklands is a useful distraction. From what I understand Milei is facing some difficulties at home because of his hard-line policies...A lot of people are struggling over there and we've seen it time and again that when an Argentine president is struggling for home support he or she can raise the issue of the Falklands."‌Roxanne King-Clark, 40, told The Mirror it was "always stressful" when Argentina renews its interest in the Falkland Islands. "There is a long and painful history behind it, so of course hearing our home being spoken about in that way can be unsettling."At the same time, I have faith that the UK Government and British Forces will continue to defend the Falkland Islands and our right to self-determination, both through diplomatic channels and through the continued British military presence here. So while comments like these can create unease, they don’t make me feel that our future is suddenly uncertain.‌"This is our home, and the people who live here have been overwhelmingly clear about our wish to remain a British Overseas Territory. We’re a modern, self-governing community and very proud of what we’ve built here."Tour guide and Instagrammer, who goes by roxyinthefalklands on the platform, Roxanne said increased visibility and interest in the islands turned her into a "content creator overnight" with her posts being viewed more than 10 million times. Interest in the islands peaked again this year when Argentina players posed with a banner with the words "The Falklands are Argentine" on it during the World Cup.‌"But that increased visibility has also come with a significant increase in abuse from some Argentines. I’ve received aggressive comments and messages, as well as threats simply for being a Falkland Islander, being British and speaking openly about my home. It can be quite alarming to be a Falkland Islander online."When political attention turns towards the Falklands, that rhetoric doesn’t necessarily stay at government level. For those of us who are visible online, we can feel the effects of it very quickly. Following President Milei’s latest comments, I’m anticipating another increase in attention and, unfortunately, probably some of the abuse that comes with it."‌Roxanne stressed it was not representative of all Argentines and that she has had positive interactions with people from the country who are curious about learning about their lives. She continued: "I think what can get lost whenever the Falklands becomes part of a political conversation in Argentina is that there are actual people living on these islands. We aren’t simply a piece of territory to be discussed between governments."We have our own identity, our own community and, most importantly, the right to determine our own future. I’m proud to be a Falkland Islander and I’m proud to be British."‌Milei's announcement also distracts from issues facing the islanders. The cost of living remains a key concern for Falkland Islanders, who import many supplies and food from great distances, despite a surplus of lamb and beef.The possibility of salmon farming has attracted a lot of local opposition amid concerns about what impact it would have on the islands' ecosystem. The shores and surrounding waters are home to penguins, dolphins, seals and whales.‌Internet access was also a big issue for the island until recently with connections being slow and unreliable until a law change allowed islanders to provide their own access. As the years roll on and the war more distant in time, big changes continue to happen on the Falkland Islands.Rob, who returned to the Falklands in 2021 after living in England for several years, recalled having never setting foot on nearby Yorke Bay, a beautiful beach near Stanley where mines were laid by Argentine forces. But the beach was declared mine-free and reopened to the public in 2020.‌"I'd never set foot on it because it was mined. All the minefields were cleared, which I never thought I'd see happen...When I came back, I went for a walk - the first time I'd ever set foot on this beach. It's kind of amazing."Content cannot be displayed without consentFalklands War veteran Simon Weston shared his reaction to Milei's announcement on Sky News earlier today, adding: "They do this every several months or every several years and at the moment there's an election happening in Argentina, or is about to happen. He's tanking in the polls, the country is in economic crisis - that's what caused them to invade 44 years ago.‌"Nothing has changed. And to sanction all the oil companies - is there anyone working with the oil companies [in Argentina] - is ridiculous, because they haven't got a footprint in Argentina, they're just empty words. They mean absolutely nothing."It's just rhetoric and he's just rattling the sabre again, unsettling the islanders and playing to the crowd as you can see in images there. That's all great for him, that's politics."But unfortunately for him his politics isn't working for a lot of people in Argentina. And this is why he's having to try and rally the troops, trying to create a cabal of nations in South America that will also support him."Article continues belowMilei's announcement has not shifted the British Government's position that the overseas territory will remain a part of the United KingdomAn FCDO spokesperson told The Mirror: "As Minister Kumaran told the House [of Commons], the United Kingdom's position on the Falklands Islands is long-standing and unwavering: They are and will remain a British Overseas Territory, in line with the wishes of the Falkland Islanders. The Islanders right to self-determination is paramount."