Falkland Islands fears erupt as Argentina issues triumphant message over Chagos surrender

Javier Milei is determined to repatriate the Falklands (Image: Getty)

Argentina has renewed its calls for the UK government to return the Falkland Islands, following Britain's decision to cede its sovereignty over the Chagos Islands. The UK signed a £3.4bn ($4.6bn) deal to hand back the islands to Mauritius in a ground breaking agreement.

However, the UK will retain control of the military base on Diego Garcia - the largest of the islands. The British government has agreed terms to lease Diego Garcia for 99 years, at a cost of £101m a year.

Gavin Short said Argentine claims to sovereignty were "old rubbish" (Image: Falkland's Legislative Assembly)

Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam said the deal completed "the total process of decolonisation".

Buenos Aires was quick to hail the agreement and once again pressed its claims to sovereignty over the Falklands.

Argentina's Foreign Ministry described the Chagos deal as "a historically significant event in the decolonisation process".

They added: "In this framework Argentina renews its call on the UK to resume negotiations on the sovereignty of the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and surrounding maritime spaces, as established by Resolution 2065 (XX) of the UN General Assembly and other pertinent resolutions."

The Ministry noted that regaining full control over the islands remained "a standing objective of Argentina’s foreign policy".

"The agreement between UK and Mauritius constitutes an example that shows it is possible to solve disputes of this nature through peaceful means," they said.

"Argentina reaffirms its willingness for a serious and substantive dialogue with the UK, which allows finding a definitive solution in accordance with International Law as referred to in the Islas Malvinas Question."

Despite Argentina's claims to the disputed territory, it would appear most islanders prefer to remain under British control.

In a referendum held in 2013, 99.8% of islanders voted in favour of remaining a British Overseas Territory - with only three "no" votes cast.

At the time, the referendum was dismissed by Argentina as a meaningless publicity stunt.

However, a Falklands politician told the Express that Argentine claims to sovereignty over the islands were "old rubbish" and just a lot of "hot air".

Gavin Short said Falklanders would rather "starve" than give their country away, insisting the islanders alone will decide what happens to their territory.