Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership win has been hailed as a “triumph” by a president who has repeatedly clashed with the British Government in recent years: Argentina’s Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.
The Argentinian president called Corbyn’s landslide victory a “triumph of hope” and branded Labour’s new leader “a great friend of Latin America,” referencing his support for a “dialogue” between the country and the British Government over the Falkland Islands.
In a statement, Fernandez de Kirchner said: “This is also a triumph for those of us who represent the will to put politics at the service of the people, and the economy at the service of the welfare of all citizens.
The Falklands Islands - A history
“It is also a triumph for those who advocate for peace and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
“Jeremy Corbyn is a great friend of Latin America and shares, in solidarity, our demands for equality and political sovereignity.
“He has clearly spoken in favour of Argentina in the British Parliament regarding out struggle for human rights against the usurious interest of vulture funds.
Jeremy Corbyn is a great friend of Latin America and shares, in solidarity, our demands for equality and political sovereignty.
— Cristina Kirchner (@CFKArgentina) September 12, 2015
He actively supports the call of the international community for dialogue between the United Kingdom and Argentina in the Malvinas Question.
— Cristina Kirchner (@CFKArgentina) September 12, 2015
“In addition, he actively supports the call of the international community for dialogue between the United Kingdom and Argentina in the Malvinas question.”
The Falkland Islands, known as Islas Malvinas in Argentina, have been the cause of repeated clashes between Fernandez de Kirchner and the British Government.
In March this year Defence Secretary Michael Fallon declared the land, sea and air defences were being upgraded in the Falklands in the face of a “very live threat” from Buenos Aires, which was followed by Argentina ordering the seizure of foreign oil company assets operating in the islands just months later.
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Corbyn said in a BBC interview two years ago that a “degree of joint administration” could be used as a solution to the current conflict over the islands.
During the leadership campaign a spokesman for Corbyn told The Telegraph: “Jeremy has long urged a long term negotiated settlement which of course should take into consideration the views of the islanders themselves.
“As a general policy principle we are committed to conflict prevention and conflict resolution.”
Additional reporting by PA
