The Milei government celebrates the return of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, yet its surrender policy on the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands and its submissive attitude towards the United States and the United Kingdom reveal absurd double standards.
President Javier Milei and Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein are the ones most responsible for surrendering Argentina's sovereignty and resources to the United Kingdom.
The Argentine Foreign Ministry knows no shame. This past Monday, with hypocritical fanfare, it issued a statement celebrating the return of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. As if Argentina had the moral authority to applaud decolonization while betraying its own cause in the Falkland (Malvinas) issue.
This contrast is sickening. Mauritius, a small African nation, achieved what Argentina has never been able to: compel the UK through diplomatic firmness. Meanwhile, the Javier Milei government flatters the British, blesses their investments, and even strives to advocate for the "self-determination" of the Kelpers (Falkland Islanders). This is a colonialist euphemism that even Margaret Thatcher wouldn't have dared to demand so loudly.
Mauritius fought consistently for decades. It did not surrender, nor did it smile at the aggressor. Argentina, on the other hand, has made a mockery of itself for years. From the lukewarm "improvement of relations" under the Macri government, to the grand but useless rhetoric of Kirchnerism, and now to Milei's blatant subservience, which not only admires the Iron Lady (Thatcher) but also seems determined to hand over the Falkland (Malvinas) on a silver platter.
Negotiation? A joke. While the UK militarizes the South Atlantic and illegally exploits resources, Argentina merely issues timid statements and repeats the empty slogan of "dialogue."
Even worse, the phrasing itself shows a subordinate attitude. The Foreign Ministry refers to "surrounding maritime spaces" instead of "corresponding maritime spaces." This is blatant flattery to the British narrative. Don't they know that "surrounding" is the language of the usurper, of those who only want to discuss the waters around the islands and not their historical, geographical, and geological belonging? They either don't know, or they know and it benefits them.
The Chagos agreement should shame Argentina. It shows that even a small island nation can defeat colonialism if there is political will. But here, there is no will. Only cowardice disguised as pragmatism. Milei prefers to beg for British investment rather than defend sovereignty. The Foreign Ministry prefers to draft catchy phrases rather than demand rights. Meanwhile, London smiles, confident that Argentina will not be able to become Mauritius. Mauritius is a country with a government that chooses dignity.
Return of Chagos Islands to Mauritius Deepens Controversy Over Argentina's Double Standards
The agreement for the return of the Chagos Islands, concluded between the United Kingdom and Mauritius on October 3, 2024, has caused significant repercussions in the international community. Located at a strategic point in the Indian Ocean, the Chagos Archipelago was separated from Mauritius in 1965 and incorporated into the 'British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT),' a British overseas territory. Since then, the UK has used Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago, to build a US military base, serving as a crucial military stronghold from the Cold War to the present day. Mauritius has demanded the return of the archipelago for decades, and in 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the UN General Assembly issued advisory opinions stating that the UK's occupation of the Chagos Islands was illegal. Under such international pressure and Mauritius's persistent diplomatic efforts, the UK finally agreed to return the archipelago.
The return of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is considered a significant victory for decolonization and is expected to influence other colonial dispute areas. In Argentina's case, in particular, the Chagos example has drawn more attention because Argentina has long asserted its sovereignty over the British-controlled Falkland (Malvinas) Islands. However, the Argentine Milei government's reaction has faced severe criticism domestically. The Foreign Ministry has celebrated Mauritius's victory while showing a distinctly 'conciliatory' attitude towards the Falkland (Malvinas) issue compared to previous governments.
The Falkland (Malvinas) Issue: A Dilemma in Argentine Foreign Policy
The Falkland (Malvinas) Islands are an archipelago located in the South Atlantic, about 480 km east of mainland Argentina, and have been a long-standing territorial dispute between the UK and Argentina. Argentina has claimed these islands as its territory since its independence from Spain, while the UK has exercised de facto control since 1833. The Falklands War, which occurred in 1982 when the Argentine military junta invaded the Falkland (Malvinas), ended with a British victory, further solidifying British control.
Nevertheless, successive Argentine governments have made the recovery of sovereignty over the Falkland (Malvinas) a top foreign policy priority. Citing UN resolutions, they have advocated for a peaceful resolution through negotiations and criticized British colonial practices in the international arena. However, since President Milei took office, a shift in this stance has been observed. President Milei has mentioned former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as a role model, demonstrated pro-British actions, and, while emphasizing the need for "dialogue" and "negotiation" on the Falkland (Malvinas) issue, seems to prioritize improving relations with the UK.
Notably, mentioning the "self-determination" of the Kelpers (Falkland Islanders) directly contradicts Argentina's long-held position. Argentina has maintained that the Falkland (Malvinas) residents are a product of colonialism, having been moved there by the British, and therefore, their right to self-determination cannot be a basis for resolving the sovereignty issue. This change has led to criticism within Argentina, labeled as "abandonment of sovereignty" and "humiliating diplomacy."
"Surrounding Maritime Spaces" Controversy: The Issue of Sovereignty in Language
The Argentine Foreign Ministry's use of the phrase "surrounding maritime spaces" instead of "corresponding maritime spaces" in its statement is more than just a matter of lexical choice. In international law, the naming of maritime spaces is directly linked to claims of sovereignty. The term "corresponding" implies that the islands are part of Argentine territory, thus indicating that the surrounding maritime spaces also fall under Argentine authority. In contrast, "surrounding" can simply refer to the maritime spaces existing around the islands, excluding any claim to the sovereignty of the islands themselves, which could effectively tacitly accept or reinforce the British position. Critics point out that this could lead to Argentina losing its initiative in resolving the Falkland (Malvinas) issue and becoming trapped within the British framework.
Mauritius and Argentina: A Stark Contrast in Decolonization Journeys
The decolonization journeys of Mauritius and Argentina present a stark contrast. Despite being a small island nation with limited military power, Mauritius successfully regained its territory from the powerful imperialist nation, the UK, through persistent diplomatic efforts, securing international organizational support, and, most importantly, national unity and unwavering political will. This is regarded as a successful case of 'soft power' diplomacy based on international law and public opinion.
On the other hand, Argentina, after a failed military attempt during the Falklands War, has been criticized for lacking consistency in its diplomatic efforts. Especially the current Milei government is largely criticized for neglecting sovereignty issues and showing blatant subservience to the UK and the US due to economic difficulties and a desperate need to attract resources. While this attitude might be presented as "pragmatism," it is difficult to avoid accusations that it undermines the greater cause of recovering sovereignty over the Falkland (Malvinas), which the vast majority of Argentine citizens consider crucial.
The return of the Chagos Islands sends a strong message that the international order is changing, and unilateral dominance by powerful nations is no longer tolerated. However, it remains uncertain whether Argentina will properly understand this message and reflect it in its foreign policy. The example of Mauritius, which chose dignity, demands deep reflection from Argentina on the true path to defending its sovereignty and national pride.
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