James Cleverly’s Falkland Islands Visit Amidst Spiraling Controversy with Argentina

James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, has announced that he plans to visit the Falkland Islands to reinforce the UK’s control over them following a recent disagreement with the Argentine government. Speaking at a Conservative Party Conference event in Manchester, Cleverly stated that he would “clearly and unequivocally” support the islands’ right to self-determination. This dispute between the UK and Argentina has reignited tensions between the UK and the European Union, as the EU referred to the Falklands as the “Islas Malvinas” in July.

Cleverly revealed his plan to visit the Falklands in response to what he described as a “run-in” with the Argentine government. He expressed his belief in the right to self-determination and emphasized the importance of a Conservative government in protecting the interests of the Falklands and other nations relying on British governance. Cleverly also highlighted the situation in Ukraine, where he believes a Conservative government is necessary to defend against Russian aggression.

If Cleverly follows through with his visit, he will be the first British cabinet minister to travel to the Falkland Islands since 2016. Previous visits by UK ministers have sparked controversy and led to condemnation from Argentina. Despite Argentina’s calls for the islands to be given to them, a 2013 referendum showed overwhelming support for remaining a UK Overseas Territory. The dispute over the Falklands has intensified in recent months ahead of Argentina’s upcoming election on October 22.

In March, Argentina terminated a cooperation agreement with the UK, citing the need for discussions regarding the islands’ sovereignty. The Argentine foreign secretary stated that the Falklands War in 1982 did not resolve the dispute between the two countries. In July, Cleverly criticized the EU for referring to the islands by their Argentinian name in a joint communique, which he warned would escalate tensions in the region. The UK’s objections were raised at both official and ministerial levels, but the EU maintained its stance.

Despite the UK no longer being an EU member state, European officials argued that the UK had no authority to dispute the EU’s wording. Consequently, a declaration supported by both the EU and Latin American and Caribbean countries referred to the islands as the “Islas Malvinas/Falkland Islands”. Argentina hailed this declaration as a diplomatic success and expressed a desire for further dialogue with the EU regarding the Falklands issue.