From the Guardian · · 2m
UK warns Interpol over Argentina's Falklands arrest requests
Britain appeals to the international police organisation to reject what it calls politically motivated red notices targeting oil project workers.
In brief
Britain appeals to the international police organisation to reject what it calls politically motivated red notices targeting oil project workers. The UK has asked Interpol to reject Argentina's arrest requests for people involved in a Falklands oil project, calling them politically motivated attempts to block the…
Britain appeals to Interpol
The UK has written to Interpol's headquarters in Lyon asking the international police organisation to reject arrest requests from Argentina targeting people involved in a Falklands oil project.
Tensions at highest since 1982
Tensions over Falklands sovereignty have reached levels not seen since the 1982 war with Argentina, prompting UK officials to seek urgent assurances from Interpol about handling the requests.
Red notices called politically motivated
The UK argues that Argentina's red notice requests for arrest of individuals, including British nationals, are politically motivated and designed to bully people and companies out of working in the Falklands.
Sea Lion oil project at stake
The Sea Lion oil project in the north Falklands basin could triple the islands' GDP. Argentina's president, Javier Milei, has vowed to block it and is attempting to criminalise those involved.
Falklands leader on Interpol threat
Andrea Clausen, chief executive of the Falklands government, confirmed Argentina's use of Interpol was a threat but said one would hope Interpol would not necessarily take action on the requests.
“One would hope that Interpol wouldn't necessarily take action.”
Interpol promises political screening
Interpol responded to the UK that it would respect article three of its constitution, which forbids it from undertaking any intervention or activities of a political character in its red notice screening.
Argentina escalates with UN arbitration
Argentina is expected within twenty-four hours to request arbitration under annexe seven of the UN convention on the law of the sea over the oil project, claiming the UK breached a UN resolution.
UK confident on sovereignty grounds
UK government sources are confident that the UN convention on the law of the sea will not wade into a sovereignty dispute. Four recent similar cases were all disregarded by the tribunal as sovereignty issues.
UK prepares muscular response
The UK government is expected to be increasingly muscular in its approach to Argentina in coming days.
The takeaway
The UK has asked Interpol to reject Argentina's arrest requests for people involved in a Falklands oil project, calling them politically motivated attempts to block the development.
