UK Urges Interpol to Reject Argentina Arrest Requests Over Falklands Oil Project

The British government has petitioned Interpol to dismiss "red notice" arrest requests submitted by Argentina against individuals involved in a major offshore oil venture near the Falkland Islands, arguing the measures are politically motivated. UK officials are seeking assurances from the international police body amid escalating sovereignty tensions with Buenos Aires over the British overseas territory.

In official correspondence sent to Interpol headquarters in Lyon, the UK argued that Argentina's attempts to detain workers and contractors—including British nationals—amount to political coercion intended to deter commercial investment in the region. The dispute centers on the Sea Lion oil project in the North Falkland Basin, a development capable of tripling the archipelago's gross domestic product.

Legal Protections and Interpol Response

Interpol responded to the UK by stating it will uphold Article 3 of its constitution, which strictly forbids the agency from undertaking activities or interventions of a political nature. While Interpol screens all red notice requests, individual member states retain the authority to decide whether to execute detentions once a notice is issued.

In response to the diplomatic pressure, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced the UK will utilize Protection of Trading Interests (PTI) legislation to safeguard businesses operating in the territory. The framework enables the UK to issue directives prohibiting British companies and individuals from complying with foreign trade controls or laws, while opening avenues for affected parties to seek damages in UK courts. Miliband emphasized that commercial entities must remain free to make lawful decisions without the threat of foreign intimidation.

Argentine Sanctions and UN Arbitration Threat

Argentine President Javier Milei has targeted the Sea Lion project by launching criminal proceedings against core corporate partners, including Israel-based Navitas and UK-based Rockhopper Exploration. A draft national sovereignty bill before Argentina's congress seeks to broaden sanctions to encompass shareholders, financial intermediaries, suppliers, and affiliated entities, alongside provisions that could impact the Falklands' fishing sector.

The legal challenge is expected to expand further through an Argentine application for arbitration under Annex VII of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Buenos Aires contends that the UK violated a UN resolution calling for sovereignty negotiations and the avoidance of unilateral modifications. However, Falkland Islands officials noted that previous UNCLOS tribunals have repeatedly dismissed similar cases, citing a lack of jurisdiction over underlying territorial sovereignty disputes.