Argentina has commenced legal action against five companies currently drilling for oil and gas in the Falkland Islands.
The move was announced by the Argentinian minister for the Falklands after a judge in Rio Grande agreed to take on the case.
Drilling for oil and gas in the resource-rich Falklands area by London-listed companies remains controversial as a decades-long row between the UK and Argentina over the sovereignty of the islands has not been resolved.
The case will involve three UK firms as well as two other companies from the US.
Daniel Filmus told a press conference his country would use national and international law in a bid to settle the issue.
A statement on behalf of the Falklands Island Government dismissed the lawsuit as “another attempt by Argentina to try to block economic growth in the Falkland Islands”.
“The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) fails to see how drilling is in any way a provocation,” the statement read.
“We have the right to develop our economy, including the hydrocarbons industry, and we are exercising that right.
“Exploration drilling has been happening in Falkland Islands waters for many years.
“It is worth remembering that it was the Government of Argentina who walked away from working with the Falkland Islands on the development of a hydrocarbons industry some years ago.
“Argentine domestic law does not apply to the Falkland Islands and this latest action is clearly another attempt by Argentina to try to block economic growth in the Falkland Islands.”
Earlier this month, the Foreign Office dismissed a previous threat to prosecute oil firms drilling near the Falklands.
It was made after Premier Oil said it had made an oil discovery at the Zebedee well in the region.