Argentina Seeks to Win Back the Falkland Islands in the Wake of Brexit
Argentina, sensing international weakness of the UK due to Brexit, may be making moves to acquire the Falkland Islands again. Islas Malvinas, as the island archipelago is referred to in Argentina, has been a UK overseas territory since 1833. Argentina and the UK went to war in 1982, when Argentina invaded the islands. While defeated in that conflict, Argentina continued to try to reacquire the islands through peaceful means. However, a referendum in 2013 showed that 98% of Falkland Islanders want to remain British citizens. Then, Brexit happened. The UK broke away from the European Union and now struggles to maintain relevance on the international stage. Its GDP continues to decline. Citizen poverty has increased. The national budget continues to see cuts, including funding for the Falkland Islands. Argentina, sensing an opportunity, launched a social media blitz and advertising campaign to win over the Falkland Islanders and the islands. Its marketing slogan is “No one loves you like Argentina!”. The tourism ministry is offering low-cost travel to Argentine cities for Falkland Island residents. Argentina attempted to tow advertising banners behind planes as they flew over the Islands, welcoming the residents of the islands to visit Argentina. Unfortunately, the UK Royal Air Force mistook those planes and their advertising as an attack on the Falklands. The planes were shot down, and the pilots captured.