Chile backs Argentina's claim to Falkland Islands in major challenge to Britain

Fintan Starkey
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:25:47 +0000

Chilean President José Antonio Kast has thrown his weight behind Argentina's territorial claim to the Falkland Islands during his inaugural state visit to Buenos Aires.

Meeting Argentine President Javier Milei at the Casa Rosada, Mr Kast endorsed Buenos Aires's position on the disputed South Atlantic archipelago, along with South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

A joint statement released by both nations' foreign ministries urged London and Buenos Aires to return to the negotiating table.

The statement called for talks aimed at reaching "a peaceful and definitive solution to the sovereignty dispute in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations and other regional and multilateral forums."

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The two leaders spent more than 90 minutes in discussions at the presidential office, accompanied by senior cabinet members from both administrations.

Their joint communiqué characterised the encounter as part of "a forward-looking agenda based on the defense of shared values of liberty, democracy, life and property, and the promotion of economic growth."

Mr Milei expressed gratitude to his Chilean counterpart "on behalf of the Argentine government for the traditional support of the Chilean government on the Malvinas Islands Question."

At the April 2 commemoration, the Argentine president had described the dispute as one that "continues to be recognised by the United Nations as a special and particular colonial situation," calling for "mature and sincere dialogue" with Britain to advance towards resolution.

The extradition case of Galvarino Apablaza, a former Chilean guerrilla member wanted for allegedly orchestrating the 1991 killing of Senator Jaime Guzmán, dominated a significant portion of the bilateral discussions.

Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna thanked his Argentine counterpart Pablo Quirno for the "efforts deployed and support provided" in pursuing the extradition.

President Milei had signed the extradition order on March 11, coinciding with his attendance at Mr Kast's inauguration in Santiago.

Yet, when Interpol officers and Argentine judicial authorities descended on Mr Apablaza's residence in the Buenos Aires suburb of Moreno last Thursday, they found the property empty.

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"Sooner or later, the fugitive Apablaza will answer before the courts," Mr Kast declared, appealing to "every Argentine" with knowledge of his location to assist authorities.

Mr Apablaza's legal representative, Rodolfo Yanzón, has lodged a complaint with the United Nations Committee Against Torture seeking urgent intervention to suspend the proceedings, according to AFP.

The lawyer maintains his client's refugee status remains valid until courts reach a final determination.

Beyond the extradition matter, both governments committed to upgrading border infrastructure and introducing digital systems for crossing procedures

They also pledged to strengthen intelligence cooperation targeting transnational organised crime.

"This is a historic moment for achieving greater integration between both nations," Mr Kast told journalists at the Chilean embassy, highlighting prospects for collaboration in mining, energy, commerce and tourism.

A severe storm forced the cancellation of a planned wreath-laying ceremony at Plaza San Martín, cutting short the visit before the Chilean delegation departed for Santiago.