Falklands 40: why Malvinas are still such an emotive issue in Argentina

Wednesday, April 20th 2022 - 10:54 UTC

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By Matthew Benwell (*) – At this time of year, the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) take center stage in public and political life across Argentina. April 2 marked the 40th anniversary of what many Argentines think of as the “recovery” of an integral part of their national territory from the UK. The “recovery” was only to last for 74 days before a British task force defeated Argentine troops and reclaimed what the UK government recognizes as British overseas territory – the Falkland Islands. Read full article

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Swede
The Argentine foreign minister writes this in a British newspaper. Could it be possible for his U.K. counterpart to write an answer in an Argentine newspaper?
Apr 20th, 2022 - 01:33 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
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Martin Woodhead
Although how much space does
no
nada
not a chance
need?
Apr 20th, 2022 - 02:56 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
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Chris01
I've developed a hobby over the last 3 or 4 years which consists of going every now and again onto the websites of various argentinian newspapers, clicking on the “search” button and typing in the words “islas malvinas”. I admit that I get a kick out of reading the latest rage-filled columns and op-eds.
Recently, I came across a really good one: it was written by a lady journalist on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the war. The first half of the article is a trip down memory lane as she recalls her feelings and emotions as a 7 year old girl as the war unfolded. How the “joy and pride” in April as the first “news from the front” came in then turned to “fear and anxiety” in May as the adults around her started worrying for their loved ones deployed to the islands.

And then she describes June 1982, and how her most vivid memory was the moment she had found a picture of Margaret Thatcher in a newspaper and had proceeded to scribble on it with her crayons (sky blue, naturally) with such rage that she tore the paper it was printed on.
And I thought to myself: wow, isn't that just the perfect metaphor to describe Argentina these past 40 years, a sulky child having an impotent temper tantrum in its corner. Unable to move on, absolutely stuck in the first stage of grief, unable to take no for an answer.
Freud would of had a field day with that lot.

Still, you do get to see a surprising amount of sensible comments under some of those articles (“this isn't our greatest priority”, “this is a distraction from our real problems”), so maybe there's some hope for them.
Apr 20th, 2022 - 04:29 pm - Link - Report abuse +4
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Judge Jose
The reason its still an emotive issue is because of the constant lying to and indoctrination of the Argentine general public by corrupt Argentine politicians,
Apr 20th, 2022 - 04:54 pm - Link - Report abuse +2
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Monkeymagic
“Argentine children are reminded of “lost” national territory through the teaching of history and geography”.

They are therefore not taught history then.

History would tell them that not one of the Spanish inhabitants of the islands became Argentine, they left for Spain via Uruguay.

History would tell them that Vernet knew very well that there were conflicting claims to the islands and asked both Britain and Argentina permission to set up his business, and ultimately left voluntarily leaving the business under the control of the British Matthew Brisbane.

And finally, history would teach them that as Argentina knew in 1832 it had no claim to the islands without a working community, it sent Mestevier on the SS Sarandi to “claim” them for Argentina. Sadly Mestevier was murdered by his own crew.

Britain evicted the murderers 3 months later.

So “history” taught to children might actually lead them to challenge why their government has not told them what really happened all those years ago.
Apr 20th, 2022 - 05:39 pm - Link - Report abuse +2
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Steve Potts
It is sufficient to talk to any Buenos Aires cabdriver to understand that the Argentine people know that the Falkland Islands will not be “recovered” by Argentina. The only locals who appear not to understand this basic fact of life are a group of war veterans, a small bunch of nationalist fundamentalists, and practically the entire lot of Argentine politicians.

Needless to say, however, in so doing the politicians are cheating and lying. The great majority of these politicians know that the Falklands will not be Argentine again, but they choose not to acknowledge this for fear of losing votes. ( Prof. Carlos Escudé, Ph.D.
Argentine National Council of Scientific Research (CONICET) Uiversidad Torcuato Di Tella, Buenos Aires 2003).
Apr 20th, 2022 - 06:35 pm - Link - Report abuse +2
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imoyaro
Is that hairdo of his supposed to be suggestive of the Falklands' coastline?
Apr 21st, 2022 - 12:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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