Argentina has begun sanctioning proceedings against 15 additional individuals and legal entities over alleged violations of national hydrocarbon laws in maritime areas surrounding the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The new cases add to proceedings against 45 other subjects under Article 2 of Law No. 26,659, bringing the total to 60. The action focuses on oil and gas activities that Buenos Aires considers unauthorized and comes as the Sea Lion project, involving Rockhopper Exploration and Navitas Petroleum, advances near the Falkland Islands, which Argentina calls Islas Malvinas. President Javier Milei reaffirmed that Argentina would pursue administrative, diplomatic and legal measures to defend its sovereignty claims, including diplomatic notifications aimed at preventing further commercial activity. The latest statement revises earlier reporting that described the matter as a planned criminal case against Navitas, its subsidiaries and executives. Britain maintains control of the islands, while their residents voted overwhelmingly to remain a British Overseas Territory in 2013.