Argentina’s President Javier Milei has given the UK two weeks to halt the Sea Lion oil project near the Falkland Islands or face international legal action.

Milei accused Britain of the “illegal plundering” of Argentine resources and said the dispute could be taken to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

The Sea Lion field, about 130 miles from the islands, is estimated to contain 1.7 billion barrels of oil.

British firm Rockhopper Exploration and Israel’s Navitas Petroleum plan to begin production within two years and say they hold valid licences issued by the Falkland Islands.