The justice system of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires has set a fundamental precedent in the defense of national sovereignty by condemning the travel company Cruiseline SRL for promoting cruises to the Malvina Islands and South Georgia using names that refer to them as part of the United Kingdom.

The first instance ruling, later ratified by Chamber IV of the Court of Appeals in Administrative, Tax and Consumer Relations of the City of Buenos Aires on February 3, 2025, forced the company not only to cease misleading advertising, but also to rectify its advertisements and obligatorily indicate the Republic of Argentina as the destination country.

The lawsuit that put a stop to imperial arrogance

The legal action was initiated by the lawyer couple Facundo Joel Roitman and Melisa E. Guevara under the charge of unlawful advertising . The plaintiffs, who have a relative who is a war veteran , came across an offer on the website www.crucero.com.ar (operated by Cruiseline) that promoted an itinerary called "Argentina and the United Kingdom," referring to the Malvina Islands and South Georgia by their colonial designation and as a British destination.

In their presentation, the lawyers argued that this advertising not only violates consumer protection regulations (by misleading people about the factual and legal situation of the Islands), but also represents a harmful message that "hurts all Argentinians and dishonors those who fought for the sovereignty of the Islands."

Arguments of the Ruling: Sovereignty and Collective Dignity

The Court of First Instance in Administrative, Tax and Consumer Relations Matters No. 27 of CABA, in charge of Judge Guillermo Patricio Cánepa, was emphatic.

The Company's Position

In its defense, Cruiseline SRL presented itself as a mere intermediary for the foreign cruise line Celebrity Cruises and argued that, while it "regretted" the situation, "the world's view" is that the islands are British and that their administration falls under the United Kingdom . This argument was flatly rejected by the court.

Specific Orders of Justice

Following the ratification of the ruling, Cruiseline SRL is obligated to comply with the following provisions:

1.  Eliminate and Rectify: Remove the illicit aspects of existing advertising messages and rectify all misleading advertising.  

2.  Obligation to Mention Argentina: Any future publication offering a trip with a stopover in the Malvina Islands, South Georgia or the South Sandwich Islands must indicate the Republic of Argentina as the destination country, omitting any reference to the United Kingdom.  

3.  Correction Notice: Publish a correction notice on your website and social media.  

4.  Customer Notification: Send a communication to each consumer who has booked the trips in question.

The case, entitled “Roitman, Facundo Joel and others against Cruiseline SRL on contracts and damages - RC - advertising” (Exp. 104842/2024-0), marks a milestone in the application of the consumer protection law as a tool to protect the values and the constitutional public order of the Nation.

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