Falklands War: History of Its Causes, Consequences, and Casualties

The Falklands War (Guerra de las Malvinas) was a brief but intense conflict in the South Atlantic between Argentina and the United Kingdom. Fought over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands and their territorial dependencies—South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands—the war lasted from April to June 1982. The confrontation marked a significant chapter in the longstanding dispute between the two nations over these remote territories.

On April 2, 1982, Argentina launched an invasion of the Falkland Islands, quickly seizing control. The following day, Argentine forces invaded South Georgia. These aggressive actions were framed by the Argentine government as a reclamation of their sovereign territory, asserting claims they had maintained since the early 19th century. However, the United Kingdom, viewing the invasion as an attack on a British Crown colony, responded decisively. On April 5, the British government dispatched a naval task force to the South Atlantic. After intense naval and air engagements, the British launched an amphibious assault on the islands. The conflict concluded 74 days later, on June 14, 1982, with Argentina’s surrender and the restoration of British control over the islands.