Argentina launched the "Malvinas 40 Years Agenda" this week to mark the 189th anniversary of what it considers the "illegitimate occupation" of the Falkland Islands - known in Spanish as Islas Malvinas - by the UK. In a warning shot, Argentina's Defence Minister Jorge Taiana warned it would “never renounce” its claim to sovereignty of the British Overseas Territory.

       He said: “We will never renounce our claim to sovereignty because we believe that its exercise is decisive for the determination of our autonomy in the continental, maritime, insular and Antarctic territory.”

       In a strongly worded statement, Argentina's Foreign Ministry said Britain's refusal to resume negotiations is "aggravated" by "continuous" "unilateral" actions by the UK, including the exploitation of natural resources and military exercises in the area.

       War commemorations will include a host of different activities, all with the slogan "Malvinas unites us”.

       Ahead of the anniversary, the Ministry of Defense of Argentina stepped up its plot to wrestle back the islands.

       It tweeted: “Throughout 2022 we will carry out different actions to pay tribute to the veterans and the fallen in the war and make visible the cause for sovereignty in the islands.”

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       This was echoed by the Argentina's Foreign Ministry, which posted on Twitter: “89 years after the British usurpation of the Malvinas Islands, the Argentine Government and people once again reaffirm their imprescriptible sovereignty rights over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas.

       “The government reiterates the firm commitment of all democratic governments to a peaceful solution to the conflict, full respect for international law and the interests of those who live on the Islands.”

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       The developments could breathe life into the country’s bitter war of words with the UK over the future of the islands.

       The two historic foes have been embroiled in a long-running diplomatic spat over the islands, which have been under British control since 1833.

       Argentina's 1982 invasion sparked a war which left around 650 Argentine soldiers and 255 British dead.

       It ended with the surrender of the Argentine troops a few weeks later.

       Speaking at the presentation ceremony Argentine foreign minister Santiago Cafiero added: "Malvinas should unite and guide us all without impositions, and in this agenda each sector can make a heartfelt statement about how it wants to honour the fallen and their families.”

       Additional reporting by Maria Ortega