The government of President Javier Milei announced this Wednesday that it will file new criminal complaints against companies that are allegedly conducting hydrocarbon activities in the Argentine Continental Shelf without the country's authorization, in violation of the prohibitions established by the Law 26.659.
The measure deepens the strategy deployed by the Executive in recent days to increase the legal and economic consequences against those who intervene in the illegal exploitation of Argentine natural resources.
Milei moves forward with new criminal sanctions for the Malvinas.
According to the Office of the President of the Argentine Republic, the new actions will not only target the companies directly involved but also directors, managers, administrators, representatives, and other individuals who have participated in decisions related to those activities.
In this way, the filings will lead to both expansions of ongoing judicial processes and the opening of new criminal cases. “The National State continues and will continue to advance in implementing actions that hold accountable all those who are violating our national sovereignty,” stated the Presidency.
The announcement adds to the measures recently adopted by Milei's administration against companies related to the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons around the Falkland Islands, including the complaints announced against firms linked to the Sea Lion project.
The government had already taken action against Navitas Petroleum, JHI Associates, and Eco Atlantic, among other companies, while the Foreign Ministry has placed dozens of individuals and legal entities related to unauthorized hydrocarbon operations under investigation by the Republic of Argentina.
At the same time, major international oil service companies such as SLB, Baker Hughes and Halliburton confirmed that they will not participate in projects related to the Falklands, following the tightening of mechanisms provided for in Argentine legislation. These decisions constituted one of the first concrete effects of the strategy promoted by the Executive to raise the cost of participating in operations carried out without national authorization.
The Argentine position is also supported by United Nations resolutions, which for decades have requested Argentina and the United Kingdom to refrain from taking unilateral measures while the sovereignty dispute remains unresolved, including those related to the exploitation of natural resources.
President Javier Milei takes historic measures to reinforce Argentine sovereignty
With the new complaints, the Milei administration seeks to extend pressure to individuals as well: not only companies will be subject to the processes, but also those who, from their positions, have intervened in the decisions under investigation.
“The National Government will continue to use all means at its disposal to prevent companies or individuals from engaging in activities that violate the sovereign rights of the Republic of Argentina and to sanction those responsible,” concluded the presidential statement.
