An Argentine minister has slammed a UK government contest inviting local students to visit the Falkland Islands as a “provocation”.
The initiative, promoted via the social media account “Falklands de Cerca”, invites university students from Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay to enter a competition to win a one-week trip to the archipelago.
The post says winners will have the chance to experience the islands’ “nature, culture, and community firsthand”.
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It instructs applicants to send a one-minute video in English to their local UK embassy answering: “Why would I like to meet my neighbours in the Falkland Islands?”
Entries are open until 25 August, as reported by Need To Know.
But the seemingly benevolent initiative has sparked a fierce backlash in Argentina, which claims the islands — known there as the “Malvinas” — as its own.
Carlos Bianco, Minister of Government of the Buenos Aires Province, took to social media, writing: “In a new provocation against Argentina and its sovereignty rights over the Islas Malvinas, the United Kingdom has launched a contest for students from our country to ‘visit’ the Islands, under an illegitimate slogan that seeks to portray them as a territory separate from the Republic.”
He also criticised Argentine President Javier Milei, saying: “The national government avoids condemning these repeated provocations, including Foreign Secretary Cameron’s visit to the Islands in 2024 and the conduct of military exercises, not to mention the invitation of former PM Johnson to the balcony of the Casa Rosada and the signing of the Mondino-Lammy communiqué.”
Bianco accused the UK of “misinforming” and “crudely manipulating” Argentine university students and condemned Milei’s “path of subordination and surrender”.
Fabián commented: “No Argentine should go.”
Lucas offered a different view: “A great initiative for promoting development, learning, and stronger ties between these countries.”
And Betito joked: “Can Milei sign up? He’d score extra points for being a fan of Thatcher.”
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