Argentina to file criminal charges against Israeli company over Falklands drilling

Argentina announced on Monday that it will file criminal charges against Israeli energy company Navitas Petroleum for its offshore drilling operations in the Falkland Islands, known to Argentinians as Las Malvinas. This action follows Argentine President Javier Milei's pledge to sanction oil companies operating in the British overseas territory. Navitas Petroleum plans to drill with British firm Rockhopper, which previously caused a diplomatic stir despite improving bilateral relations between Israel and Argentina. The Argentinian government had previously sanctioned Navitas for unauthorized drilling, citing a 1976 UN resolution that prohibits unilateral decisions on the territory while sovereignty negotiations are ongoing. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar had informed Argentina that the Israeli government was not involved in Navitas’s operations, as it is a public company.