GCHQ Joint Threat Research and Intelligence Group (JTRIG) gathered information intended to be used to discredit Argentinian authorities and limit popular support in the country for an invasion of the Falkland Islands.
The aims of British intelligence in Argentina were not limited to the Falklands. According to the documents quoted by The Intercept, surveillance of the country’s “military and leadership” communications on various platforms was a “high priority” task for GCHQ.
The conflict claimed the lives of some 650 Argentinian and 250 British servicemen, before Argentina conceded.
On March 24, UK Defense Minister Michael Fallon said that Argentina’s government still represents a “very live threat” to the British-ruled Falkland Islands and announced plans to spend $268 million over the next 10 years to boost British security in the islands.
Argentina, in its turn, has sent official letters of complaint to the UN Secretary-General and heads of several regional organizations accusing the UK of further militarizing the Islands.
