“Demalvinization” and the Limits of Identity: The Malvinas (Falklands) in the Post-1982 Argentine National Imaginary

Reclaiming the British-controlled Falkland Islands, known as the Malvinas in the Spanish-speaking world, is a matter of crucial national interest for the Argentine people and is intricately linked with their identity. The pervasive nature of the Argentine claim within the national discourse and public sphere prompts inquiries into the boundaries of identity. Where does one draw the line between being Argentine and questioning territorial claims? What statements can be made without seeming to reject Argentine sovereignty over the islands, thereby challenging Argentine identity? To address these issues, this article sheds light on the phenomenon of undermining the claim to the Malvinas in contemporary Argentina, commonly known as “demalvinization” (desmalvinización). The article illustrates that, despite the unifying nature of the Malvinas cause at a basic level, encapsulated by the slogan “The Malvinas are Argentine,” it simultaneously engenders domestic challenges and serves as a catalyst for political polarization.