Brazil backs Argentina over Malvinas

Thu Jan 19, 2012 7:3AM GMT

Brazil's Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota (L) welcomes Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague at the Itamaraty palace in Brasilia, January 18.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota says all Latin American nations back Argentina against Britain over the disputed Malvinas islands, which Britain claims as its own, calling it Falklands.

Latin America and the Caribbean "back Argentine sovereignty over the Malvinas and back the UN resolutions calling on the Argentine and British governments to hold talks on the issue," Patriota said in a meeting with British Foreign Secretary William Hague in Brazil.

Patriota added that Britain knows "Brazil and Unasur (Union of South American Nations) support Argentinean sovereignty over the Malvinas."

As the 30th anniversary of the war between Britain and Argentina over the Malvinas Islands nears, the dispute over the territory is heating up once again.

Britain on Tuesday reiterated its tough stance over the disputed islands, with the foreign secretary warning South American countries not to 'collude' with Argentina to reclaim its occupied territory.

Britain's response came after the South American Mercosur -- including Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay -- agreed to ban boats sailing under the Falklands flag from docking at certain ports.

William Hague expressed Britain's opposition to the port ban, describing Argentina's efforts to reclaim its territory as “illegal.”

Hague also said that the British government would resist any measures that could lead to economic or other pressures for the islanders.

However, Argentina has charged that Britain is breaching international laws, insisting that UK's oil-drilling operations there represent a clear instance of infringement on international laws.

Malvinas, located about 250 nautical miles from Argentina, has been a British colony for over 180 years. However, Argentina also claims sovereignty over the territory as it controlled the islands prior to its colonization by the British. Moreover, the two countries fought a destructive 74-day war over the islands in 1982

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