CHECK THE RADAR. GO TO: COORDINATES  

The highest court in Tierra del Fuego has declared itself competent to hear the lawsuit filed by the municipality of Tolhuin. The court will have to rule on the fine and the "additional sanction of demolition" of the antennas that pose a serious risk to national security.

For this reason, the legal dispute over the continued presence of the radar, owned by British and Irish capital , at the "El Relincho" ranch may have reached its final stage. The Superior Court of Justice of Tierra del Fuego (STJ) formally notified its decision to assume original jurisdiction in the case "Municipality of Tolhuin v. LeoLabs Argentina SRL re: Administrative Litigation" (File No. 4700/2025) .

This resolution represents a ratification of the strategy of the municipality of Tolhuin, which seeks to carry out the total dismantling of the structure, after having exhausted the administrative instances for violations of local building regulations.

The road to the Provincial Court

The case reached the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) after Judge José Silvio Pellegrino of Tolhuin declared himself incompetent, understanding that the conflict transcended civil law and fell squarely within the realm of administrative law. The justices of the Superior Court— Battaini, Sagastume, Muchnik, and Cristiano —ratified this decision, granting LeoLabs Argentina SRL 15 days to appear and respond to the lawsuit.

Mayor Daniel Harrington 's request is forceful; he demands the collection of a fine of 1,000 Penalty Units (estimated at $868,000 plus interest) and judicial authorization to dismantle the antennas and cement bases on Parcel 116 E, Section R. in the Ea. El Relincho.

It is also clear that the proposal of the municipality of Tolhuin is not only administrative; it is an act of territorial sovereignty.

Judicial Validation

Today, the battle is being fought in the courts. The notification sent to LeoLabs ' legal representative, Pablo Bilbao , could be the starting point of the countdown for a structure that should never have set foot on Tierra del Fuego soil.

By declaring itself competent, the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) acknowledges that the municipality's demolition order has legal basis and must be resolved . LeoLabs attempted to evade administrative responsibilities, but the rejection of its appeals for reconsideration cleared the way for the forced execution .

If the justice system maintains the pace of the requested "summary process", by mid-2026 the radar should be history.

While the US embassy and Southern Command are pushing for the maintenance and activation of the radar, the provincial justice system now has the power to enforce local regulations in defense of the nation's highest interests .