The Kirchners’ Falklands policy has had a dramatic backlash

For the first time in 12 years, the new owner of Buenos Aires’ presidential palace, the Casa Rosada, no longer uses the Kirchner surname.

This is the end of a constitutional political chapter that began Nestor Kirchner was elected In 2003, he became president—and experienced political Heir to his wife Christina In 2007, Nestor die Three years later, Christina’s Re-election in 2011.

Many in Argentina’s center-left political establishment worry that those who defineKirchnerismMany right-wing politicians will smell an opportunity to tackle corruption and revive the zombie-like Argentine economy, which has been plagued by defaults and manipulation of international loans. Official economic data.

For the Falkland Islanders, the political demise of the Kirchners seemed like a legitimate reason for celebration in Stanley’s pubs and government offices. After all, during the Kirchner years, Argentina’s radical policies had dealt a heavy blow to the lives and livelihoods of the Falkland Islanders.

Trade links between the Falklands and Latin America have been restricted, the important cruise ship tourism industry is threatened, and the Argentine government has attempted to “Falkland Islands” The dispute evolved into a Latin American-wide struggle against the last remnants of colonialism.

Yet, during the same period, the Falklands have experienced a remarkable social, political, cultural, and economic renaissance. Far from succumbing to Kirchnerist measures, the islands’ government has been emboldened by them, and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is an ideal (albeit unintentional) villain.

dead end

The direction of Kirchnerism’s foreign policy was clear from the outset. Once Néstor came to power, he abandoned the policy of automatic alliance with the United States in favor of strengthening relations with Russia, China, and Latin American neighbors, and the government soon began to prioritize its unique “Southern” concerns. patagonia leader.

A few months after Nestor took office, his government proposed discussing with the UK regular flights from Argentina to the Falklands. This seemingly reasonable proposal had two rather important conditions: any discussions would be strictly bilateral between the British and Argentine governments, and all charter flights to and from the Falklands would be effective immediately. Prohibition on crossing Argentine airspace.

Bilateralism deliberately excluded the Falkland Islanders from discussions about their own future; the charter issue showed Argentina’s intent to undermine the Falkland Islands’ economy by limiting links with other countries. Unsurprisingly, the negotiations never took place.

Four years later, in 2007, the government of Nestor Kirchner abrogated the “Joint Declaration” signed in 1995. To ensure joint cooperation between the United Kingdom and Argentina in the exploration of petroleum hydrocarbons Energy companies from the Falkland Islands in the southwest Atlantic are banned from doing business in Argentina.

In December 2011, at her urging, other Mercosur countries agreed to Falkland Islands flagged vessels are banned from entering its portsThen, in 2012, the British government banned all British-flagged ships (including official Royal Navy cruise ships) from entering Buenos Aires Province. In 2013, it was revealed that oil executives associated with drilling activities in the Falklands Will be arrested If they set foot on Argentine soil.

While imposing these economic sanctions, Cristina threw her weight behind high-profile public campaigns that both advanced Argentina’s sovereignty claims and challenged the islanders’ claims to self-determination. Daniel FilmersA staunch supporter of Cristina, she was also the first Argentine secretariat responsible for the Falkland Islands. Celebrity endorsements Fighting for the Argentine cause and publicizing it widely—often on her Have your own Twitter account.

She has given presidential approval to television and newspaper ads covering the issue, including Secretly filmed commercial The ad shows Argentinian Olympic hopeful Fernando Zylberberg “training” in the Falkland Islands ahead of the 2012 London Olympics. Notably, the ad makes no mention of any Falkland Islanders, which is odd.

Yet, despite the various geopolitical policies, both hard and soft, pursued by the Kirchners, the Falklands have never been stronger economically, more resolute politically, or more confident diplomatically.

Increased confidence

Falkland Islands waters already have well-managed, sustainable fisheries that are likely to generate Rich hydrocarbon resources In the near future. 2008 Constitutional Amendment strengthen the status of the Falkland Islands as a democratic and self-governing Territory and 2013 referendum Not only was there a firm commitment to continue as a British Overseas Territory, but it also demonstrated to the world the Falkland Islands’ right to self-determination.

In the diplomatic arena, the islanders have also risen to the challenge of Argentina and have proven themselves to be eloquent spokespersons at the United Nations and elsewhere. Young islanders are particularly effective advocates on social media, sharing their messages In Spanish And English.

Far from being squeezed during the Kirchner years, economic life in the Falkland Islands has been transformed into a media-savvy, politically active community. The Kirchners have made the Falkland Islands a place of refuge for one or even two generations through vote-seeking grandstanding. Firmly oppose any form of cooperation With Argentina.

This is the lesson that Kirchner’s successors should learn. Unless Argentina once again sees the Falklands-Malvinas issue as a diplomatic and fundamentally human issue, rather than an object of domestic political speculation, the islanders will continue to turn their backs on their immediate neighbors and carve out their own future.

As Argentine political scientist Carlos Escudero puts it admit: “If policy is wise, we can discuss an agreement that brings certain benefits to Argentina. The agreement we have now does not bring any benefits at all. This has become a problem for many future governments.”

Reversing this stance will not be easy. A new president will need a new vision for the South Atlantic, and the political power to change course.