Marco Rubios Rejects Fears US May Back Argentina In Falklands Row

Marco Rubio has downplayed fears the US could back Argentina’s claim to the Falklands Islands.

It comes after a Pentagon memo leaked last week suggested the States might look to punish allies who have not supported its war against Iran.

But the secretary of state told The Telegraph: “It was just an email. People are getting overexcited by an email.

“It was just an email with some ideas.”

The newspaper suggests the memo may have been drafted by a junior staffer.

Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper reportedly raised concerns over the memo during a meeting with the top American diplomat on Wednesday, in Washington.

It remains unclear if King Charles also mentioned the topic during his state visit to the White House with Donald Trump.

Argentina has long argued that the archipelago, known to Argentinians as “Las Malvinas”, is their sovereign land.

The memo sparked widespread outrage, with Keir Starmer’s spokesperson saying he could “not be clearer” that the islands are a sovereign British overseas territory.

“Sovereignty rests with the UK, and the islands’ right to self-determination is paramount,” the representative said.

Cooper also reacted on social media, writing: “The Falkland Islands are British – sovereignty rests with the UK, self-determination rests with the islanders.”

The archipelago’s government said 99.8% of voters on the island had cast their ballot in favour of staying a British overseas territory in the 2013 referendum.

In a statement, it said: “The Falkland Islands has complete confidence in the commitment made by the UK government to uphold and defend our right of self-determination.”

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