Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Overseas Territories Uma Kumaran issued a statement on 18 September 2026 saying the Falkland Islands are British and have the right to develop their natural resources as they see fit, describing this as integral to their right of self-determination.

Kumaran said that in recent weeks Argentina had continued to threaten businesses and individuals supplying goods and services, directly and indirectly, to the Falkland Islands, including in the hydrocarbons sector. She said the UK Government and its diplomatic network stand fully behind those businesses and individuals.

The minister said this was not the first time an Argentine government had made economic threats against the Islanders, adding that the Falkland Islands economy continues to flourish. She described charges against companies and individuals for doing business with the Falklands as unacceptable and without legal justification, and said the UK would work with the Falkland Islands Government to protect their wishes. The statement was published by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.