Will the Falklands ever be a part of Argentina?
In as much as the future is not set (quote from Terminator), anything is possible, including the Falkland Islands becoming part of Argentina.
But, thanks to the 1982 war, not yet (quote from Gladiator).
And here’s why.
Wars clearly inflame emotions, and the Falklands is no exception. Even now, forty-two years after the war, no one in Britain is even considering handing the islands over to Argentina. And don’t expect that to change as long as the war remains a part of living memory.
In about forty years from now, the political landscape may well be different. At some point, the garrison will be gradually run down. We also need to remember that just before the Falklands War, in 1980, Nicholas Ridley, a tory MP, suggested leasing the islands back to Argentina. The islanders rejected the suggestion, but if there hadn’t been a war, the idea may have gained traction. Stranger things have happened.
Ultimately, it’s a decision for the islanders to make. I don’t think there’s much chance that they’ll ever decide to become part of Argentina, although I think it’s economic as opposed to patriotic reasons that sway their choices, whatever they might say.
What I think may be more likely in years to come is that they might just choose to become an independent nation, similar to the one-time British colonies in the Caribbean.
Or they might just up sticks and relocate to the UK.
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