London , England ( CNN ) -- A number of Latin American countries have rushed to offer their support to Argentina in its long-running territorial dispute with Britain over the Falkland Islands . This week Britain began drilling for oil in the waters off the archipelago , despite opposition from Buenos Aires which claims sovereignty over the islands it calls Las Malvinas . The project has reignited tensions between the two countries , who fought a brief war over the islands in 1982 , with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner accusing London of ignoring international law . Argentina says the natural resources around the islands , which lie in the South Atlantic Ocean off the Argentinean coast , should be protected , and Britain must accept international resolutions labeling the Falklands a disputed area . Mexico 's President Felipe Calderon weighed into the dispute late Monday when he said a number of countries in the region had drafted a document in support of their South American neighbor . Speaking at a summit of Latin American leaders in the Mexican resort of Playa Del Carmen , Calderon claimed Ecuador , Chile , Guatemala , Bolivia and Venezuela had all backed Argentina 's opposition to the drilling . `` We have approved a declaration in which leaders of countries and governments present here reaffirm their support for the Republic of Argentina 's legitimate rights in its sovereignty dispute with the United Kingdom , '' he said in a statement issued by Argentine officials . Ecuador 's President Rafael Correa offered his country 's `` unconditional support '' to Argentina , while his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet said , `` We not only support our sister republic 's claims to the Malvinas islands but every year we present its case to the United Nations ' Special Committee on Decolonization . '' Venezuela 's outspoken leader Hugo Chavez also reiterated his support for Argentina . `` We support unconditionally the Argentine government and the Argentine people in their complaints , '' Chavez told reporters Tuesday , according to Reuters.com . `` That sea and that land belongs to Argentina and to Latin America . '' A day earlier , Chavez had used his weekly televised address to make a direct appeal to Britain 's Queen Elizabeth II . `` Look , England , how long are you going to be in Las Malvinas ? Queen of England , I 'm talking to you , '' he said . `` The time for empires are over , have n't you noticed ? Return the Malvinas to the Argentine people . '' On Monday , British oil and gas exploration company Desire Petroleum announced that its Ocean Guardian rig had started drilling an exploration well in the North Falkland Basin , some 100 kilometers ( 60 miles ) north of the islands . Desire estimates that the North Falkland Basin could contain 3.5 billion barrels of oil as well as having `` significant gas potential . '' The exploratory drilling is expected to last around 30 days , a spokesman for the company told CNN . But the prospect of Britain making a highly lucrative discovery in region has infuriated Buenos Aires . This has to do with the defense of the interests of Argentineans , not just about sovereignty , '' Argentine Cabinet Chief Anibal Fernandez said last week , adding that Argentina lays claim not just to the islands , but to any resources that could be found there . In a statement last week , the Falkland Islands government , which represents its 2,500 residents , said it had `` every right to develop a hydrocarbons industry within our waters . '' `` The British government has clearly stated that they support our right to develop legitimate business , '' it said . `` The British government have also reiterated their stance on our British sovereignty . ''
Argentina and UK at odds over ownership of South Atlantic islands . Falklands government says it has `` every right '' to develop hydrocarbons industry . Mexican president says a number of countries in the region support Argentina 's position . Score: 6