Argentina recalls in London the Falklands War

On April 2, 1982, Argentine troops and naval forces invaded the Falkland Islands to begin a two-month undeclared war between Argentina and Great Britain over the disputed archipelago lying east of the South American republic in the south Atlantic. In London, after the meeting of the world’s G20 leaders, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner of Argentina commemorated fallen Argentine soldiers and sailors at a small ceremony held at her embassy on the 27th anniversary of the conflict.

Despite misgivings on the part of British authorities, the “respectful and austere” commemoration went forward with the participation of the Argentina’s first popularly-elected female president and various Argentine veterans of the conflict. Guests arrived the night before from Argentina for the event that will be held in a courtyard of the Argentine ambassador’s residence where there is a statue of the hero of Argentine independence General José San Martín. There, President Kirchner will offer a floral tribute to Argentine loss of life in the Falklands War. In Buenos Aires, Defense Minister Nilda Garré presided over a similar ceremony along with Vice Admiral Juan Roberto Marín.

Argentina still claims the islands and its fishing grounds, which Spanish-speakers commonly refer to as “Islas Malvinas.” The Falklands/Malvinas conflict claimed 649 Argentine lives, including the entire crew of the Argentine vessel General Belgrano. British loss of live totaled 258 KIA.