All Over the World: Argentina and UK: Still Battling the 1982 Falkland Islands War

Many Falklands fields still have active landmines

On a day trip to the Falkland Islands, we had a bumpy, muddy off-road adventure to Volunteer Point, 3 hours from Stanley to see King, Gentoo, and Magellanic penguins. While in the Falklands, we learned much about the 1982 Falkland Islands war between Great Britain and Argentina. This was the 74 day long war to repel the Argentine military's invasion, which burnished Prime Minister Maggie Thatcher's reputation as the "Iron Lady" and assured the UK's continued sovereignty over the territory. Although Argentina still disputes UK's claim, it is very clear that Falklands' residents are British and have no intention of relinquishing. There is now a full UK military base on the islands, with over 1700 personnel ready to repel any attack. There are still remnants of the 1982 conflict, with some areas off limits due to active land mines in place. Also, there are still pieces of destroyed Argentine war machines dotting the landscape.

Destroyed Argentine helicopter
sits in a field as a war reminder

Our driver and guide, Kurt, is a lifelong Falklands resident who was 12 years old when the Argentines attacked in 1982. He was moved to a safer location along with other children, and reunited with his parents only after the conflict. His parents and grandparents had lived in the Falklands, and the islands were the only home he had ever known. Kurt's vivid recollections of the conflict helped us see it from the UK perspective.

On the other side of the dispute, we arrived in Ushuaia, Argentina, the self-proclaimed capital of Las Malvinas (the Falkland Islands) on April 2nd, the 34th anniversary of the ill-fated Argentine invasion of the islands. We saw the end of a war memorial service and heard the passion of the Argentines who still claim the islands as their sovereign territory. There were veterans of the conflict pledging to go back and win the islands. Argentina still attempts to interrupt trade between other countries and the Falklands, and proclaim their readiness to re-take the islands. For Argentines, the battle rages on.