The Argentine government responded “with grave concern” Feb. 12 to the provocative presence of a U.S. nuclear sub, the USS Greeneville, in the South Atlantic, accompanied by a British aircraft from a base on the Malvinas Islands, in a joint military operation. Argentina claims sovereignty over the Malvinas—the British call them the Falklands—and is right to be wary of any British or U.S. military presence in this region. There is little doubt that this latest U.S.-British military operation in the South Atlantic reflected geopolitical goals, in which China is not a minor factor, given its growing influence in Ibero-America and strengthening strategic alliance with Argentina. Foreign Minister Felipe Sola immediately demanded an explanation from the U.S. Embassy.
In an in-your-face message, the Commander of U.S. Submarine Forces Atlantic tweeted Feb. 10 that “a United Kingdom aircraft from the British Independent Overseas Territory (BIOT) Falklands recently collaborated with the USS Greeneville in South Atlantic open ocean, demonstrating the global reach of both nations’ forces.” Vice Adm. Daryl Caudle further stated, “Our Undersea Forces rely on alliances and partnerships to deter maritime aggression, defend our national interests and dominate the undersea domain. Commander Submarine Forces.” What national interests was the Greeneville defending? Referring to the “British Independent Overseas Territory (BIOT)/Falklands” is a wild provocation to Argentina, and “maritime aggression” presumably refers to the Chinese fishing fleet which tends to operate outside of Argentina’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the South Atlantic.
Even though the Greeneville wasn’t carrying nuclear weapons and was in international waters, Argentina’s Foreign Ministry charged Feb. 12 that the sub’s presence in the region violates a UN General Assembly resolution 41/11 which establishes the South Atlantic as a “zone of peace and cooperation.” Former Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana, now head of the Senate foreign affairs committee, commented to Radio Nacional that with these military exercises, not only is the U.S. strengthening its naval presence in the South Atlantic, but “it is also carrying them out together with the British as a means of legitimizing the [British] occupation of the Malvinas Islands.”
