Argentina to file criminal charges against firms linked to Israeli oil company Navitas over Falklands operations

Argentina announced it will file criminal charges against a group of companies connected to Israeli oil firm Navitas for conducting oil‑related activities in the Falkland Islands without the required governmental authorization. The prosecutor’s office cited violations of national sovereignty and illegal exploitation of natural resources, and said the investigations would target firms that supplied equipment and services to the unauthorized operations. The move follows a series of diplomatic protests by Buenos Aires over foreign entities engaging in commercial activities on the islands, which Argentina claims as part of its national territory.

At the same time, President Javier Milei intensified his administration’s campaign against the “Sea Lion” offshore drilling project, introducing new sanctions on entities linked to the venture and announcing additional measures to strengthen Argentina’s territorial defence. The sanctions aim to block financial flows and restrict access to technology for companies supporting the project, while the defence initiatives include heightened naval patrols and the deployment of surveillance assets around the disputed waters. Both actions reflect the government’s broader strategy to assert control over the Falklands’ resources and reinforce its claim of sovereignty.