HMS Forth, a vessel in active service with the Royal Navy, was criticised by Andres Dachary, the Secretary responsible for the Falklands, as he branded the move a “new act of militarisation.” He said: “The arrival of the ship is a clear example of how the militarisation process in the South Atlantic is consolidated by the United Kingdom of Great Britain. “This once again confirms the lack of efficiency of the policies that had been carried out by the National Government in relation to the Malvinas [Falkland Islands] cause.”
Mr Dachary also hit out at the UK for what he believes is the breaking of international law.
He stated: “This is a clear and new violation of the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, created in 1986 by a United Nations resolution that promotes regional cooperation and Maintenance of Peace in the Region…
“The most important military base in the region is being consolidated, which undermines the obligation of all States to resolve their disputes peacefully, taking for granted another flagrant violation of United Nations principles and regulations.”
The South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone is a military alliance which promotes peace and security in the South Atlantic.
Particular attention is focused on preventing nuclear weapons, and eliminating the military presence of countries from certain regions.
A declaration of denuclearisation in the South Atlantic was endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 1994.
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“We are going to denounce this situation before different national and international organisations, since it represents a threat to security, not only of the province, but of the country and the region as a whole.”
Tensions have long existed surrounding UK occupation of the Falkland Islands.
These came to a head in 1982, when Argentina invaded and occupied the British territory, sparking a 10-week-long war.
The war took place during the Thatcher government, which ultimately surged to another General Election victory after the war was complete.
The hostilities claimed the lives of 255 British military personnel, and 649 Argentine soldiers, alongside three Falkland Islands civilians.
Whilst the British claimed victory, the matter was not totally resolved, and friction still exists within the territory.
Deployment of HMS Forth was the latest attempt by the UK to offer protection to the Falklands and nearby South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands.
In this sense, it assumed responsibility from HMS Clyde, which had been protecting the territory for the past 12 years.
The Royal Navy hopes the ship will be a “guardian” and patrol vessel for its overseas territories.
HMS Forth is complete with an arsenal of weapons to target piracy and smuggling.