Argentina’s government announced on Monday that it intends to file criminal charges against energy firm Navitas Petroleum and its executives for conducting operations in the Falkland Islands.
This action comes after Argentine President Javier Milei stated on Friday that he would penalize oil companies drilling in the British overseas territory, escalating South America’s sovereignty disputes.
According to a statement from the presidential office, Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno will submit the criminal complaint against multiple Navitas subsidiaries and partners operating in the region, as well as their corporate directors.
Navitas did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The government alleges that these companies violated Argentine law by possessing hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation licenses issued by the United Kingdom in the North Falkland Basin.
Last week, Milei specifically targeted the Sea Lion offshore oil project when he announced measures aimed at companies engaged in Falklands oil and gas activities, with potential penalties reaching shareholders, directors, and suppliers.
The Sea Lion field is operated by Navitas Petroleum, a Tel Aviv-listed company that maintains a 65% stake in the project.
Gideon Tadmor, a prominent figure in Israel’s energy sector and the company’s chairman, owns approximately 9% of its shares, according to LSEG data.
(Reporting by Nicolas Misculin; Editing by Daina Beth Solomon)
