Today our country commemorates the Day of the Affirmation of Argentine Rights over the Malvinas Islands, the South Atlantic Islands, and the Antarctic Sector, a date that marks the creation, in 1829, of the Political and Military Command of the Malvinas Islands and the islands adjacent to Cape Horn.

Through a decree issued by the then-Governor of the Province of Buenos Aires, Martín Rodríguez, Luis Vernet was appointed as the highest authority on the islands, thereby consolidating the effective exercise of Argentine sovereignty over that territory. This date was made official by Law No. 20,561, enacted on September 13rd, 1973.

On this 197th anniversary of that historic event, the Argentine State reaffirms its permanent and unwavering commitment to sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, and the corresponding maritime and insular areas, which form an integral part of the national territory.

Argentina’s sovereignty over the islands is affirmed not only by international law, but also by their geographical location as an indivisible part of our continental shelf, by the historical continuity of their administration prior to the British occupation, and by the memory of those who fought and gave their lives in defense of the Fatherland during the 1982 conflict.

This date serves as a permanent tribute to the veterans and those who gave their lives in defense of the homeland during the 1982 Malvinas War. Their commitment and sacrifice are part of our collective memory and strengthen the Argentine people’s claim to sovereignty.

The restoration of full sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas remains a permanent and unwavering objective of the Argentine Nation.

The Malvinas Islands are Argentine.