Provocation? Before beginning his mission in Argentina, the British Ambassador met with the Kelpers in London.

It is standard practice for all British government officials involved in matters relating to what the UK calls the Overseas Territories to contact and coordinate their work with the residents of the Falkland Islands, one of its former colonies.

Most of the time, these meetings tend to be low-key because, regardless of their importance, they are events that irritate Argentina . It's worth recalling the recent protests that arose after the visit of former Foreign Office chief David Cameron (formally, his title is Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs) to the Falklands in February 2024.

“We had a very constructive conversation with David Cairns, the new British ambassador to Argentina. I look forward to working with him in his new role,” wrote Richard Hyslop, the London representative of the pro-British Falkland Islands Government (FIG), on X, complete with a photo.

Really constructive discussion with David Cairns, the new UK Ambassador to Argentina. Looking forward to working with him in his new role. 🇬🇧🇫🇰 @UKinArgentina pic.twitter.com/hhBcXuja9A

— FIG Representative to the UK and Europe (@FalklandsRepUK) May 13, 2025

The image was quickly dismissed as a provocation by several sources with expertise in conflicts such as the one between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the sovereignty of the Falklands. Several agreed with this newspaper that the incident is comparable to an Argentine ambassador posted to China taking photos with the Taiwanese trade office, or vice versa . Or the ambassador posted to Armenia taking photos with the Turkish leadership, or vice versa.

As officially announced by the Foreign Office, Cairns is the designated British ambassador to Argentina, replacing Kirsty Haynes, who will leave the country mid-year. He is still in active service.

Since 2019, Hyslop has held the strategic position of FIG representative in London, lobbying for the Islands in the United Kingdom and hosting British business leaders, legislators, and military personnel who lobby in the opposite direction. She replaced the historic Sukey Cameron , who retired after 36 years with the FIG and 29 as its representative in the United Kingdom, a sort of embassy.

Spokespersons for the British Embassy in Buenos Aires told Clarín that, as part of their diplomatic preparation, before arriving at their mission, they meet with the islands' representative in London and other stakeholders related to the work they will be doing.

Incidentally, Clarín learned from other sources that Cairns also met with the popular former British ambassador to Argentina, Mark Kent, and the Argentine ambassador to London, Mariana Plaza, a fact that the Argentine Foreign Ministry, unlike Hyslop, did not officially report.

Other sources said the British ambassador is often in contact with the islands, not only regarding pending humanitarian issues , such as that of the families of those killed in the 1982 war whose bodies are in Darwin Cemetery, but also as transmitters of messages and policies that must be coordinated between Buenos Aires and London, which gives the islands a say in any negotiations.

It is also true that British ambassadors in Buenos Aires are often key officials responsible for conveying to London and the Islands even cultural issues about what Argentines are and what the Falklands represent for the public when discussing other matters. As this newspaper has been able to verify during its various trips to the archipelago, there is a certain distorted image of Argentina, anchored in the military landing of April 2, 1982. The majority does not want any contact with the mainland, contrary to how conflicts evolve and change.

However, for the Argentine sources consulted, who answered without wanting to be identified, this gesture of exhibition is shocking given that Hyslop is with Cairns, who will be ambassador to Buenos Aires and not to the Islands .

At the same time, it is clear that tensions over the Falklands have eased between Argentina and the United Kingdom, something that Kirchnerism has intensified in the opposite direction.

Despite reports that Minister Gerardo Werthein is a "Malvinas supporter" and that he personally oversees the issue, the Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace) does not take the Foreign Ministry's opinions into account on this matter.

On April 2nd, not even the Malvinas Area Secretariat team was invited to the event where Javier Milei spoke in Plaza San Martín—the content of which was not elaborated by the diplomats and generated considerable controversy. Furthermore, according to Clarín, the president ignored requests for a meeting from the governor of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica, and the South Atlantic Islands, Gustavo Melella, with whom he has other ongoing conflicts.