Argentina has accused a British Royal Navy warship of conducting a "military incursion" in waters claimed by Buenos Aires near the Falkland Islands, the country's foreign ministry announced Wednesday. The accusation was made hours after Argentina's national soccer team defeated England to secure a spot in the World Cup final.
Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno stated that the HMS Medway, the Royal Navy's guard ship in the disputed territory, made an "unconsulted and illegal journey" within Argentine waters on July 4. He claimed this action violated a United Nations resolution. Argentina submitted a "formal note of protest" to the British embassy regarding the warship's passage.
The British Ministry of Defence disputed Argentina's claims, describing the voyage as an "innocent passage." A spokesperson told The Sun that HMS Medway undertook a routine logistics visit to Punta Arenas, Chile, between July 5 and 8, to support British Antarctic Survey operations and deliver essential supplies for scientific research. The transit from the Falkland Islands to Chile and back was conducted via the most direct practicable route for operational safety and timely delivery, the ministry stated.
The Falkland Islands, known as Islas Malvinas in Spanish, have been a long-standing point of contention between Argentina and the United Kingdom. Argentine forces invaded the islands in 1982 but were defeated by a British military offensive. Argentina continues to dispute British sovereignty over the archipelago, with some Argentine soccer players celebrating their World Cup semi-final victory with a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas."