The advancement of the Sea Lion offshore hydrocarbon project in the North Malvina Basin, led by the Israeli company Navitas Petroleum and the British company Rockhopper Exploration , has reignited the debate on Argentine sovereignty in the South Atlantic. Faced with a scenario where the illegitimate government of the islands is granting illegal licenses that project the extraction of 55,000 barrels of crude oil per day starting in 2028, a political response is beginning to take shape in the National Congress.

In an exclusive interview with LU12 AM680 of Río Gallegos, reported by La Opinión Austral , the national deputy and vice president of the National Defense Commission, Agustina Propato , detailed the scope of a bill she authored that seeks to create a Permanent Bicameral Commission on the Malvinas Cause .

A permanent "legislative leg"

Propato 's initiative arises as a response to a state policy that, she argues, requires continuity and a pluralistic vision that transcends electoral cycles. "The Malvinas are a matter of national unity , " the legislator stated, proposing a forum comprised of senators and representatives from diverse political backgrounds to address the sovereignty agenda on an ongoing basis.

For Propato , this commission represents "the legislative branch's role in this agenda and in building information," a crucial aspect given that "it is often difficult to gather information about the Malvina Islands." The congresswoman acknowledged the work of Agenda Malvinas , through which updated records of granted licenses were recently accessed, revealing a process of plunder that, although systematic, "has been going on for more than 20 years."

The "business" of looting and the inaction of the Executive

The Malvina Islands legislator was emphatic in her analysis of the economic impact of the Sea Lion project. She alluded to information about how Navitas and Rockhopper have been absorbing other companies with licenses to consolidate their exploitation in the Northern Basin. The projected cash flow is astronomical: estimated at around $1.5 billion annually from hydrocarbons alone, a figure that is added to the approximately $400 million generated by the "plundering" of fishing resources.

"If they land with that multi-million dollar structure, they'll never leave," Propato warned, adding a painful paradox: "Today the Malvina Islands have the highest per capita gross domestic product on the planet, generated with Argentine resources and wealth."

In this context, Propato denounced the inaction of the current national government, headed by Javier Milei , pointing to an "uncritical alignment on international issues" that translates into silence or concessions. He harshly criticized the Foreign Ministry's stance, guided by what he called the "Plaza doctrine" (referring to the ambassador to the United Kingdom, Mariana Plaza ), characterized by constant surrenders of sovereignty.

Unused legal tools

The congresswoman noted that Argentina has operational tools to take action, specifically Law 26,659 , which regulates the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons on the Argentine continental shelf. This law provides for sanctions, disqualifications, and fines not only for the main operators but also establishes joint and several liability for all companies providing logistical support, including those operating from the mainland.

"There are operational possibilities to apply Law 26.659," emphasized Propato , who considered that the Foreign Ministry should have already urged the embassies of the United Kingdom and Israel to move forward on these companies that carry out illegal unilateral actions, violating United Nations resolutions 2065/XX and 31/49 .

Beyond Oil: Militarization and Fishing

Finally, Propato called for not losing sight of the full scope of the British threat in the South Atlantic. He urged that emphasis also be placed on the plundering of fisheries and, fundamentally, on the growing militarization of the region.

Speaking on the Defense Committee , the legislator denounced the frequency of unilateral and illegal military exercises by the United Kingdom, as well as the unauthorized transit of British warships and research vessels. In this regard, she mentioned the introduction of a proposal to regulate "innocent passage," criticizing the Foreign Office's current interpretation that validates the transit of ships flying the illegal flag of the Malvina Islands.

"According to Article 2 of the National Defense Law, this is our only conflict scenario," Propato concluded, reaffirming the urgent need for the Legislative Branch to assume an active and permanent role in the defense of Argentine sovereignty and territorial integrity.