STANLEY, Falkland Islands—Argentina has had a recent win in their long-standing struggle to assert sovereignty over the British-held Falkland Islands. The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), which has 12 member countries, agreed with Argentina on Friday that ships headed to or from the Falklands should be denied docking and fuel at mainland ports. This decision could be “very costly” for shippers who do business with and on the islands.
The battle for sovereignty over the islands began in 1982 when Argentina invaded the Falklands but was overpowered by British troops in combat lasting 74 days. Over 1,000 people died. More recently, Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has revitalized the claim to Las Malvinas, as Argentina refers to the archipelago.
UNASUR’s agreement to block incoming and outbound ships associated with the islands has promised to injure the Falklands’ economy. The heads of state present at UNASUR’s summit in Guyana last week agreed with Argentina that vessels flying “the illegal flag of the Malvinas” should be blocked from using any member nations’ ports. Naturally, shippers and members of the Falklands government are nervous.
“If all South American ports do decide to block all access to Falkland Islands-flagged vessels,” Adam Cockwell, a manager of Work Boat Services Ltd. said, “then it raises a serious issue for us as we will not be able to go to any ports for our dry docking requirements.”
Stuart Wallace of Fortuna Ltd. voiced concerns that “if such a policy were to be implemented it would have the unfortunate effect of a significant loss of business for some South American ports. It would inconvenience Falkland vessel owners, but we would deal with any new circumstances.” He added: “Perhaps most importantly, such an aggressive blanket ban would make it clear internationally that we face a tightening blockade aimed at destroying our economy.”
Gavin Short, member of the Falklands’ Legislative Assembly stated: “If anyone was in any doubt about the hostile intent that Argentina has towards us and their drive to blockade us then [this new development] should dispel those doubts.”
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