Falklands Dispute: British Ships Banned From Buenos Aires

British sovereignty in the Falklands faces yet another challenge from Argentina. Lawmakers in Buenos Aires province have passed a bill that will ban British ships from docking in any of its ports. Buenos Aires is the largest province in Argentina and houses the country’s most important ports.

The bill is the latest in a series of provocations by Argentina in the run-up to the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War. The bill is designed to hinder British oil exploration in the islands. It also illustrates Argentine hostility to Britain, since most ships en route to the Falklands do not stop in Argentine ports.

Ships flying the Falklands flag are already banned from ports in Argentina and the other nations making up the South American trading bloc Mercosur. Last year, two Falklands-bound Norwegian ships, mistaken for British, sparked mass protests when they docked in the port of La Plata near Buenos Aires.

The bill was sponsored by Patricia Cubria, a deputy from President Cristina Kirchner’s Front for Victory coalition. It was nicknamed “Gaucho Rivero” after Antonio “Gaucho” Rivero, the Argentine cowboy who led an uprising against the British in the Falkland Islands in 1833. Of Rivero, Cubria said, “He fought so that the Argentine flag could fly in the Falklands.”

The British foreign office responded by expressing its concerns about Argentina’s political belligerence. A spokesperson said:

The UK remains concerned about recent Argentine measures designed to prevent access for British and other international vessels seeking to enter Argentine ports. Ministers have made clear in the past that the UK wants to have a constructive relationship with Argentina, but this will not be at the expense of the rights of the Falkland Islanders to choose their sovereignty and to develop their economy.The UK will take all steps necessary to ensure that the Falklands economy is not undermined by unilateral measures taken by Argentina.

Argentina is continuing to undermine British influence in the Falklands. Thirty years ago, when Argentina attempted to fly its flag in the Falklands, Britain responded with swift, decisive action to defend its territory. Today, however, despite Britain’s tough talk, it does not have the naval power necessary to defend the islands. Bible prophecy shows that Britain will eventually lose the Falklands. For more insight, read “Changing the Guard” in our free booklet He Was Right.