Argentina to Press Criminal Charges Against Navitas Over Falklands Oil Work

Argentina's government announced on Monday that it will file criminal charges against energy company Navitas Petroleum and its executives for operating in the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory that Buenos Aires claims as its own.

The move follows President Javier Milei's remarks on Friday, in which he vowed to sanction oil companies drilling in the region as part of a stepped-up sovereignty campaign. Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno will lodge the complaint against several Navitas subsidiaries and partners active in the territory, along with their corporate directors, according to a statement from the presidency.

The government alleges the firms violated Argentine law by holding hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation licenses issued by the United Kingdom in the North Falkland Basin. Navitas did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Milei had specifically named the Sea Lion offshore oil project last week when announcing measures against companies involved in Falklands oil and gas activities. Penalties could extend to shareholders, directors, and suppliers.

The Sea Lion field is operated by Tel Aviv-listed Navitas Petroleum, which holds a 65% stake. Gideon Tadmor, the company's chairman and a prominent figure in Israel's energy sector, owns about 9% of its shares, according to LSEG data.