Argentina Backs Bolivia and Rebukes UK Ambassador Following Malvinas Sovereignty Remarks

The Milei administration rebukes UK Ambassador Richard Porter after he criticized Bolivia’s support for Argentina’s Malvinas sovereignty claim in La Paz.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 6, 2026, 7:48 AM EDT

Source: Buenos Aires Times

The Catalyst in La Paz

The diplomatic friction began during a commemorative event on April 1 at Plaza General San Martín in La Paz, held just one day before Argentina’s Day of the Veteran and the Fallen in the Malvinas War. During the ceremony, Bolivia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Carlos Paz Ide, reaffirmed his nation’s long-standing support for Argentina’s territorial claims. Paz Ide emphasized that the Malvinas issue is not merely an Argentine cause but a "regional" one, calling for renewed negotiations under United Nations resolutions to reach a peaceful settlement.

British Rebuttal and Allegations of Interference

In response to the Bolivian official’s statements, UK Ambassador Richard Porter released a social media video describing the position as "disappointing." Porter asserted that British sovereignty over the islands is not subject to question, citing the 2013 referendum in which 99.8 percent of the inhabitants voted to remain a British Overseas Territory. The ambassador further characterized Bolivia’s remarks as an interference in the internal affairs of the United Kingdom, a move that significantly escalated the rhetorical tone between the two nations.

Argentina’s Diplomatic Intervention

The Argentine Foreign Ministry, directed by Pablo Quirno, issued a formal rebuke of Ambassador Porter’s comments, describing them as "unfortunate expressions." Buenos Aires thanked the Bolivian government for its unwavering support, noting that the claim is a shared priority for Latin American countries across various international forums. Argentine officials specifically took issue with Porter’s dramatic statement that he would defend British interests "even with his life," viewing such language as escalatory and counterproductive to diplomatic norms.