STORY: Argentine President Javier Milei is striking a sharper tone over the contested Falkland Islands.
That is in contrast to the moderate approach he adopted before, as he sought closer ties with the West.
In a post on X on Friday, Milei wrote that the islands, known in Argentina as Las Malvinas, "were, are and will always be Argentine."
The president's post came hours after an exclusive Reuters report revealed that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing the U.S. position on the disputed archipelago as retaliation for Britain's stance on the Iran war.
:: 1982
Argentina has long claimed it inherited the islands from Spain after its independence in 1816 and that Britain took control in 1833 through an illegal colonial act.
:: 1982
In 1982, the two countries fought a brief war over the islands after Argentina invaded in a failed bid to take them.
:: May 1982
The conflict killed hundreds on both sides and ended with Britain retaining control of the islands.
Four decades on, the islands still stir raw emotion in Argentina.
Murals of fallen soldiers are drawn on the streets of Buenos Aires, and a national holiday marks the war every year.
:: April 2024
Milei has previously raised questions about his resolve on the islands.
During his presidential campaign, veterans criticized him...
:: Archive
when he praised former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who ordered the military operation to retake the Falklands.
Experts say the fresh tension between the U.S. and UK offers the leader a potential rallying point.
That's as inflation and corruption scandals pull his approval ratings to record lows.
:: Archive
Washington has traditionally avoided taking sides on the sovereignty of the islands, but recognizes that they are administered by Britain.
