Located just off the coast of Argentina in the southern Atlantic Ocean lies a group of 780 islands. Most know these islands as the Falkland Islands; however Argentina and the majority of Latin America knows them better as Las Islas Malvinas.
The islands were first discovered accidentally by British Captain John Davis in 1592 after being blown off course. The first settlements, however, did not come about until the 1760s, and a British presence has been there continuously ever since. Currently, the islands are still technically part of the United Kingdom, but are completely self governing in every way except in the areas of foreign affairs and self defense.
The islands’ history, however, is not always as simple as many make it out to be. Over the years many nations have laid claim to certain islands, all of which have since denounced their claim—all of them except that is, except Argentina. Argentina claims that it received the islands from Spain in 1816 upon receiving its independence, and although Argentina has not consistently occupied or governed any of the islands, it has never renounced its claim to the islands.
In recent years the United Kingdom and Argentina have clashed as the latter tries to reclaim the islands. The most notable of these conflicts occurred in 1982, when Argentina invaded the islands and occupied them for over two months until they were forced to surrender by the British Armed Forces. Relations have remained rocky ever since as Argentina refuses to acknowledge the UK’s claim to the islands.
In late June two members of the Falkland Island’s Legislative Assembly, Mike Summers and Sharon Halford, visited Washington DC to discuss the current situation in the islands. When asked about the island’s relationship with Argentina, Halford expressed her disgust, saying, “There is no relationship with Argentina. We can’t trust our neighbors.”
Tensions continue to rise as the future of the islands is continually discussed between the two countries, and now also by the United Nations. Summers argued “This is not about the UK, nor is it about Argentina; this is about the Falkland Islands.” What will happen in the future is debatable, but according to Summers there is one thing that everyone should remember: “What should matter are the rights of the people.”
Perhaps he is right, but what is to be done? Two separate countries lay claim to the same group of islands, and there are many legal entities that need to be considered. It is doubtful that either country will ever be willing to step aside and denounce their claim to the islands. With all the uncertainties surrounding the future of the islands, one thing remains unchanged: the islands have a rocky road ahead of them as other decide their future for them.
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Falkland Islands' or 'Las Islas Malvinas'?
July 18, 2013
Located just off the coast of Argentina in the southern Atlantic Ocean lies a group of 780 islands. Most know these islands as the Falkland Islands; however Argentina and the majority of Latin America knows them better as Las Islas Malvinas.
The islands were first discovered accidentally by British Captain John Davis in 1592 after being blown off course. The first settlements, however, did not come about until the 1760s, and a British presence has been there continuously ever since. Currently, the islands are still technically part of the United Kingdom, but are completely self governing in every way except in the areas of foreign affairs and self defense.
The islands’ history, however, is not always as simple as many make it out to be. Over the years many nations have laid claim to certain islands, all of which have since denounced their claim—all of them except that is, except Argentina. Argentina claims that it received the islands from Spain in 1816 upon receiving its independence, and although Argentina has not consistently occupied or governed any of the islands, it has never renounced its claim to the islands.
In recent years the United Kingdom and Argentina have clashed as the latter tries to reclaim the islands. The most notable of these conflicts occurred in 1982, when Argentina invaded the islands and occupied them for over two months until they were forced to surrender by the British Armed Forces. Relations have remained rocky ever since as Argentina refuses to acknowledge the UK’s claim to the islands.
In late June two members of the Falkland Island’s Legislative Assembly, Mike Summers and Sharon Halford, visited Washington DC to discuss the current situation in the islands. When asked about the island’s relationship with Argentina, Halford expressed her disgust, saying, “There is no relationship with Argentina. We can’t trust our neighbors.”
Tensions continue to rise as the future of the islands is continually discussed between the two countries, and now also by the United Nations. Summers argued “This is not about the UK, nor is it about Argentina; this is about the Falkland Islands.” What will happen in the future is debatable, but according to Summers there is one thing that everyone should remember: “What should matter are the rights of the people.”
Perhaps he is right, but what is to be done? Two separate countries lay claim to the same group of islands, and there are many legal entities that need to be considered. It is doubtful that either country will ever be willing to step aside and denounce their claim to the islands. With all the uncertainties surrounding the future of the islands, one thing remains unchanged: the islands have a rocky road ahead of them as other decide their future for them.
