The question of the situation in the region of the Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the southernmost part of South America that is internationally recognized as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. However, Argentina believes they are entitled to the area, known to them as Las Malvinas. The first recorded landing on the islands was in 1690 by the British. Then in 1770, the Spanish began to settle the islands, driving off the British. Shortly after claiming independence from Spain, Argentina proclaimed ownership over the islands. During a feeble moment for the South American nation, due to civic unrest, British forces regained control of the disputed area. Although during World War I it was a strategic location to intercept enemy ships, Argentina protested British sovereignty over the island. In 1982, while Argentina was under a strict military regime, the South American nation attempted to use violence to claim the area back. In the end, however, Britain was victorious, and today they are officially recognized as the Falkland Islands. (Falkland Islands Profile). 
 
In the current state, Argentina claims and constantly addresses the sovereignty of the Falkland islands. They believe they should have the rightful inheritance of the Spanish colonization of the area (Falkland Islands Profile). The Argentinian citizens are repeatedly exposed to information that proves their nation owns the island through means such as forecasts and maps, as “By law, all maps in Argentina must include the disputed islands.” (McGarvey, Declan). Despite being exposed to such information, many individuals acknowledge the British to have higher engagement with the island’s population and, therefore claim that Argentina gaining complete possession “is unlikely to ever happen.“ (McGarvey, Declan). Nonetheless, Argentinian government officials are still driven to pursue such an outcome.
 
On the other hand, the United Kingdom appeals on a significantly larger scale to the citizens of the islands. Currently, the islands are self-governing; however, foreign affairs and defense matters are managed by the European nation (Falkland Islands Profile). The obsessive control over the Falkland Islands roots back to Margaret Thatcher.  In 1970 the former prime minister, as her biographer claims, proposed a diplomatic solution where Argentina would claim sovereignty, meanwhile, the British government would proceed to operate the Falkland Islands. However, the proposal was declined. As Argentina initiated the Falklands invasion, Margaret Thatcher firmly affirmed the Falklands “remain British territory” and ” no aggression and no invasion can alter that simple fact.” (Tudor, Sarah).  
 

Works Cited 

"Argentina to Renew Push for Sovereignty over Falkland Islands." Aljazeera, 2 Mar. 2023, www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2023/3/2/argentina-to-renew-push-for-sovereignty-over-falkland-islands. Accessed 6 Oct. 2023. 

"Falkland Islands Profile." BBC News, 13 June 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-18425572.amp. Accessed 6 Oct. 2023. 

McGarvey, Declan. "Falklands: What Do Argentines Think Now?" Sky News, 2 Feb. 2012, news.sky.com/story/amp/falklands-what-do-argentines-think-now-10481329. Accessed 6 Oct. 2023. 

Tubby, Ben. Saunders Island with Southern Rockhopper Penguins, the Falklands. UK Must Engage with Argentina over Future of Falkland Islands, nacla.org/uk-must-engage-argentina-over-future-falkland-islands.