Latin America unites over Falklands
By politics.co.uk staff
Latin American states have united to back Argentina’s claim over the Falkland Islands at a summit in Mexico.
Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean backed her country’s claim over the island, where a British petroleum company is currently exploring for oil.
The agreement has not been made public yet but the document reportedly gives Argentina unanimous support.
“I think the important thing is that we have achieved very strong support, something that legitimates our claims fundamentally against the new petroleum activity,” Ms Kirchner said.
Tempers flares over the islands last week when Argentina brought in a raft of new regulations concerning vessels starting into its waters. British rig Ocean Guardian began drilling yesterday regardless.
The spat has raised memories of the Falklands War in 1982, which saw over 600 Argentinean and over 200 British troops killed.
UK defence minister Bill Rammell said Britain would ensure the safety and security of the island, most of whose inhabitants associate themselves with the UK.
