The Argentine Congress has received a government bill on national sovereignty protection that proposes stricter sanctions for the unauthorized exploitation of natural resources in the Falkland Islands. According to the Office of the President, the initiative, titled “National Sovereignty Protection Act,” aims to “protect the sovereign rights of the Argentine Republic.”
The Office of the President described the bill as “a milestone in the process of regaining the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.” The agency said the Falkland Islands are a national cause and that their recovery is a promise passed down through generations.
Stricter sanctions for activities in the Falklands
The document, spanning over 40 pages, was signed by President Javier Milei, Chancellor Pablo Quirno, and Ministers Carlos Presti (Defense), Luis Caputo (Economy), and Diego Santilli (Interior). The government explained that the bill rests on three pillars: punishing illegal resource exploitation, creating incentives to halt such activities, and giving the state tools to counter external threats.
The bill proposes amendments to Article 111 of the Criminal Code, including prison sentences of 5 to 12 years for individuals who, acting on behalf of, under the instruction of, or with full or partial funding from a foreign state, organization, or agent, interfere in electoral processes, “manipulate public opinion” through “mass disinformation” campaigns, or facilitate acts of violence or sabotage against the state.
The bill also calls for repealing the current Law No. 26.659 of 2011 and replacing it with a stricter regime. The new provisions are intended to increase criminal sanctions against companies, their shareholders, directors, and suppliers that operate illegally in the disputed territories.
A new national security system
Separately, the bill provides for the creation of a National Security System and a National Security Council. This body will coordinate the state’s diplomatic, economic, defense, legal, and intelligence functions, as well as matters concerning the protection of critical infrastructure and national sovereignty.
The government said Argentina needs a comprehensive, coordinated regulatory framework to protect its sovereignty and strengthen state institutions against modern threats. Officials also noted that previous measures to protect Argentine interests regarding the Falkland Islands were “insufficient and ineffective.”
President Javier Milei has called on political forces to give the bill top priority and expedite its review in Congress. He stated that Argentines cannot afford not to work together toward the recovery of the Falkland Islands.
Source: Clarín
