Buenos Aires, January 13 (RHC)-– Argentina says it will take legal action against companies and executives exploring for oil in the Malvinas Islands, which are the center of a sovereignty dispute with the United Kingdom.

According to a newly passed law in Argentina, companies and executives drilling for oil in the Malvinas Islands and the surrounding waters without permission from Buenos Aires will be fined up to 1.5 billion dollars and given prison sentences of up to 15 years.

"We will go to the international courts. It must be known that Argentina will defend its claim," Daniel Filmus, Argentina's Malvinas secretary, said at his office in the ministry of foreign affairs on Monday. The recent remarks by Filmus seem to be a move for enforcing the law.

Argentina and the UK fought a 74-day-long war in 1982 over the islands, in the South Atlantic Ocean. The conflict ended with the British side claiming victory.

Located about 480 kilometers (300 miles) off Argentina’s coast, the Malvinas Islands have been declared part of the British overseas territories since the UK established its colonial rule on the territories in 1833.