The diplomatic dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the sovereignty of the Malvina Islands has entered a new phase marked by an unusual demand: the Kelpers, British occupiers of the archipelago, are demanding that the Argentine government comply with the controversial bilateral agreements signed during the administrations of Mauricio Macri (2015-2019) and Javier Milei, which erode the country's sovereign position.

The core of the conflict lies in two key documents: the Foradori-Duncan Agreement (2016) and the recent Mondino-Lammy Pact (2024), which promote a "positive agenda" of economic, logistical and scientific cooperation in the South Atlantic, under the "sovereignty umbrella" formula established in 1989. These agreements, negotiated without the intervention of the Argentine Congress, include measures such as the facilitation of commercial flights from Brazil, the joint exploitation of fishing and hydrocarbon resources, and Antarctic cooperation, all without advancing the claim of sovereignty . 

Covert delivery

Agenda Malvinas has consistently denounced that these pacts violate the First Transitory Provision of the National Constitution, which mandates the peaceful recovery of the islands. "It's an unconditional transfer. The economic development of the Malvinas Islands is being handed over to the British without any compensation," stated César Lerena, a fishing and South Atlantic expert . Political scientist Armando Abruza added that the texts—drafted even with terminology favorable to the United Kingdom— "make invisible the territory's colonial status."

Milei's government, however, insists that the agreements are "pragmatic tools" to improve bilateral relations. Former Foreign Minister Diana Mondino promptly defended the dialogue with London , so much so that she ratified the appointment of Carlos Foradori—the architect of the controversial 2016 pact—as ambassador to Geneva, signaling continuity in the strategy.

British pressure

The Kelpers ' claim intensified after the 55th OAS Assembly, where Argentina achieved unanimous support for its sovereignty claim . In response, British Foreign Office representative Baroness Jennifer Chapman demanded that Buenos Aires "honor the fishing and air connectivity commitments" of the Mondino-Lammy Pact , arguing that they benefit "all stakeholders." London also insisted on the principle of self-determination for the islanders, rejecting negotiations on sovereignty.

Uncertain future

While the Argentine government balances its sovereignty rhetoric with gestures of rapprochement, analysts warn that the pacts could set a dangerous precedent: "Every concession without reciprocity consolidates the occupation," Lerena noted. With the United Kingdom reinforcing its military presence on the islands and Argentina lacking a clear strategy, the dispute appears to be heading toward a de facto normalization of the situation, increasingly distant from historical demands.