The Secretariat of State reaffirms Kaharagia’s recognition of the Falkland Islands as a self-governing British Overseas Territory and its support for the right of the Falkland Islanders to determine their own political status.

Kaharagia’s position is based on the principle of self-determination and on the clearly expressed wishes of the people of the Falkland Islands.

Those wishes have been demonstrated repeatedly. In the 1986 sovereignty survey, 869 respondents supported continued British sovereignty, while only three supported Argentine sovereignty. The Falkland Islands Constitution likewise affirms the right of peoples to self-determination and to determine their political status freely.

That position was confirmed again in the 2013 referendum, when Falkland Islanders were asked whether they wished to retain their status as a British Overseas Territory. With turnout of approximately 92 per cent, 1,513 people voted in favour and three voted against, representing 99.8 per cent of valid votes cast.

These results are consistent with the longstanding public position of the Falkland Islanders and their elected representatives.

The Government of Kaharagia therefore rejects the renewed Argentine claim to sovereignty over the Islands advanced by President Javier Milei. Kaharagia is particularly concerned by statements which continue to treat the future status of the Falkland Islands as a matter to be settled without regard to the wishes of the people who live there.

Argentina’s repeated assertion of sovereignty over the Falkland Islands does not create a legitimate entitlement to the territory. Kaharagia rejects that claim and affirms that the political future of the Islands must be determined by the Falkland Islanders themselves.

Kaharagia will continue to recognise the Falkland Islands as a British Overseas Territory for as long as that status reflects the freely expressed will of the Falkland Islanders.

The future of the Falkland Islands belongs first and foremost to the Falkland Islanders.