Chile backs Argentina's sovereignty claim over Falkland Islands

April 7 (UPI) -- Chilean President José Antonio Kast expressed support for Argentina's sovereignty claim over the Falkland Islands, a British-controlled territory in the South Atlantic, during his first visit to Argentina.

Kast met Monday with Argentine President Javier Milei at the Casa Rosada. After the meeting, both governments issued a joint statement in which Chile reaffirmed its backing for Argentina's claim.

"President Kast reiterated the support of the government of Chile for the legitimate sovereignty rights of the Argentine Republic over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas," the statement said.

Chile also called for Argentina and the United Kingdom to resume negotiations to reach "as soon as possible" a peaceful and definitive solution to the dispute.

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Milei thanked Chile for its support, noting Argentina has maintained its claim over the territory for nearly 200 years and seeks to recover it through diplomatic means over the long term.

His administration's strategy includes bilateral negotiations with the United Kingdom, drawing on the precedent of Hong Kong, and strengthening national defense through the planned installation of a joint naval base with the United States in Ushuaia.

Tensions between Argentina and the United Kingdom have grown recently due to expanded resource extraction activities in the islands, including oil, gold and diamond projects. Argentine authorities have criticized these developments as an intensification of resource exploitation in a disputed territory.

In a speech marking Veterans Day on April 2, Milei condemned these activities promoted by the United Kingdom, describing them as a violation of United Nations resolutions that prohibit unilateral actions in contested areas.

Political scientist Hernán Campos of Diego Portales University told UPI that Chile's support reflects ideological alignment between Kast and Milei.

"Given the need to consolidate strategic alliances with countries that share conservative principles and values, the new government is signaling cooperation and unity of purpose with national interests such as Argentina's sovereignty claim," he said.

Campos described the support as largely symbolic, noting the United Kingdom does not consider sovereignty over the islands to be under negotiation. However, he said the statement reinforces a broader political alignment in the Southern Cone.

Chile played an ambiguous role during the 1982 war between Argentina and the United Kingdom. While officially neutral, the military government of Augusto Pinochet provided intelligence and logistical support to the United Kingdom, partly due to its own territorial disputes with Argentina.

Since returning to democracy, Chile has consistently backed Argentina's sovereignty claim.

Campos said the Kast administration is maintaining that position, with added emphasis on ideological proximity to Milei.

He said similar gestures could extend to other governments with aligned political views, including Paraguay, Ecuador and El Salvador.

María Pía Méndez, an assistant professor in the School of Government and Public Administration at Universidad Mayor, told UPI the stance should also be seen as part of a broader effort to strengthen bilateral ties.

"It also highlights links in areas such as economic relations and border cooperation," she said.

Foreign ministers from both countries have begun working meetings focused on attracting reciprocal investment, expanding bilateral trade, increasing energy integration and combating organized crime.