Southern Cone in September 2026: the most important developments in politics
In the Southern Cone in September 2026, politics was dominated by Argentine President Javier Milei's renewed claim to the Falkland Islands, which Argentina calls the Malvinas. In a televised address around September 4, Milei called the islands Argentinian and suggested a handover similar to the return of Hong Kong to China. The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly rejected the proposal. US President Donald Trump backed Milei on the issue. Argentina announced sanctions, a naval base and, on September 8, a criminal case against the Israeli-linked firms Navitas Petroleum and JHI over oil exploration off the islands. Britain voiced support for the companies operating there.
The dispute moved to the United Nations. At the General Assembly on September 23, Milei called the organization useless, renewed the claim and urged a peaceful solution; on September 25 he spoke of taking matters into Argentina's own hands. The United Kingdom rejected his remarks as unacceptable. By September 29 the government had given London a two-week deadline, saying it would take the dispute to an international maritime tribunal and citing Britain's handling of the Chagos Islands as a precedent. On September 30 the UK summoned Argentina's ambassador over Falklands oil.
At home, Milei's alliances and standing were tested. A senior aide resigned, and Security Minister Patricia Bullrich called for changes in direction while building her own electoral base. Polls narrowed the gap between Milei and Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof to two points. Milei disputed official inflation data, and opposition lawmakers sought a special session against his decree allowing land sales to foreigners.
Other items included an Argentine court charging eight people, including seven Iranians and a Lebanese national, over the 1994 AMIA bombing that killed 85 people; Iran and Hezbollah deny the accusation. Chile and Argentina joined the Americas Shield initiative put forward by Trump. Milei traveled to Paris for a business forum and a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, and Pope Leo is scheduled to visit Peru and Argentina in November.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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