Tu Shalt Not Pasar

Calling back memories of the Falkland Islands war, Argentina has blocked a cargo ship from leaving one of its ports after suspicion arose that the vessel would supply oil drilling equipment to the British-occupied islands. The Argentines allege that the ship was trying to aid in an “illegitimate” search for oil and gas. —JCL

The Guardian:

Argentina has blocked a cargo ship from setting sail over suspicion it would supply oil drilling equipment to the Falkland islands, marking a sharp escalation in a diplomatic battle with Britain over hydrocarbon exploration in the south Atlantic.

Authorities halted a consignment of tubes on board a ship in Campana, north of Buenos Aires, and accused the owners of aiding an “illegitimate” search for oil and gas.

The intervention, which appeared to catch the Falklands and Britain by surprise, came as the islands prepared to start drilling the first of 10 wells. A rig, the Ocean Guardian, is expected to arrive next week and to begin drilling 100 miles offshore almost immediately.

Read more

Wikimedia Commons

The Falkland Islands, or the Malvinas, was the site of a war between Britain and Argentina in 1982.