Argentina launches urgent investigation after being left furious over Falkland Islands map
Argentine politicians claimed the map was a show of 'relinquishing sovereignty'
REUTERS/NASA/PA
Argentina has vowed to launch an urgent investigation after its own officials displayed a map of the country without the Falkland Islands included.
The archipelago, which was first landed on by English explorers some 120 years before Argentina existed as an independent state, had not appeared in a map of Argentina at a mining investment summit last Wednesday.
The seminar, headed up by Argentine bigwigs from the country's secretariat of strategic affairs, had seen attendees gather from across the world - including the UK.
One Argentinian diplomat, speaking to local outlet A24, had fumed at the omission of the islands - to which Argentina lays claim.
The Falkland Islands were first landed on by English explorers some 120 years before Argentina existed
GettyHe said: "We Argentine representatives couldn't believe what we were seeing.
"If it was a mistake, it's very serious because it was an official act... And if it was on purpose, it's even more serious because we are relinquishing sovereignty!"
But after the humiliating territorial own-goal sparked uproar in Argentina, the country's government has pledged to take action.
Jose Luis Vila, secretary of strategic affairs of the cabinet chief's office, explained to Spanish-language news outlet Infobae that "two maps were projected and one omitted the Malvinas" - the Spanish term for the archipelago.
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The humiliating territorial own-goal sparked uproar in Argentina
GETTYVila added: "What happened is my responsibility and affects me as much as everyone else.
"There is no policy to omit the Malvinas. It was an error and we will investigate what happened and then decide what measures will be taken with those responsible."
Argentina's office of strategic affairs blamed an "involuntary failure" for displaying the "wrong" map - and said it "regretted" that "it has been used for drawing false conclusions or making low-level political speculations about the Malvinas cause, which should unite all Argentines."
While Argentine politician and Falklands hawk Esteban Paulon fumed at the map fracas.
He said: "It's shameful that, in their eagerness to attract foreign investments - which do not come due to lack of trust - the government throws away the Malvinas cause, whose sovereignty claim is non-negotiable as established by our Constitution.
Milei said he was committed to finding a so-called "roadmap" to sovereignty over the islands earlier this year
REUTERS"It's another sign of a government increasingly detached from national sentiment!
"Printing this map of Argentina without the Malvinas, supposedly not to 'offend' foreign investors, clearly shows another link in the chain of abandoning the cause by Javier Milei's government."
Earlier this year, president Milei said he was committed to finding a so-called "roadmap" to sovereignty over the islands - but admitted it would not come in the near future.
In April, he said: "I want to reiterate our unwavering claim for the islands, and I commit that during our government we will be able to have a clear roadmap so that the Malvinas return to Argentine hands."
In response to Milei's speech, a Downing Street spokesman said the issue was already "settled decisively some time ago", adding that the UK would "proactively defend" the islanders' right to self-determination.