Humiliated Argentina issues furious dig as Brazil 'helps UK' get tourists to Falkands

Argentina's president attends a memorial to soldiers killed in Falklands war (Image: Getty)

Argentina has issued a furious complaint to Brazil over what it described as "provocative" actions by the UK government to promote its "illegitimate occupation" of the Falkland Islands.

The diplomatic row erupted after the UK was allowed to host a stand promoting tourism to the Falklands at the WTM Latin America trade fair in São Paulo.

In a letter addressed to the Brazilian ambassador in Buenos Aires, Argentina's Secretary for the Malvinas accused the British government of trying to garner support for its sovereignty over the disputed islands in the South Atlantic.

Andres Dachary said Argentina repudiated "this new provocation" which he described as an attempt to "consolidate the illegal British presence in our Islands" through economic initiatives.

A penguin colony on the Falklands (Image: Getty)

Travel to the Falklands is promoted via the island's tourism board, which tries to use its unique wildlife as a key selling point.

The tourist board says it aims to give the Falkland Islands "a worldwide reputation for its unrivalled wildlife and natural environment."

So as to meet that goal, it has been taking part in tourism trade fairs in South America and around the world.

In 2022, the Falkland Islands had a stand at the prestigious International Tourism Fair that also was held in Brazil and provoked an outcry from Argentina.

Before the pandemic, tourism was one of the key industries alongside fishing for the islanders.

Up to seven-and-a-half visitors would come to the Falklands every year. Like everywhere else in the world, tourism to the islands was severely hit by the Covid pandemic but has been picking up in recent years.

Figures for 2022 show that 3,519 people came to the Falklands again, of which some 787 were travelling for leisure.

Argentinians have been frequent visitors in the past, but they now have to get their passports stamped with the word "Falkland Islands", which is deterring many from making the trip.

Javier Milei, Argentina's recently elected President, pledged during his campaign to regain sovereignty over the islands.

He told Sky News during the Davos economic forum in January that talks had started with the UK over the islands and that he expected more discussions to take place in the near future.

However, Britain insists the sovereignty of the islands is not up for discussion.

Commenting on Mr Milei's remarks, a British government official said: "The UK position and ongoing support for the Falkland Islanders' right to self-determination remains unchanged."

In a referendum on the islands' sovereignty in 2013, 99.8 percent voted to remain a British territory - with only three voting against.