“The objective of this criminal complaint from the republic of Argentina is to prevent the exploitation of resources which belong to our 40 million compatriots, and to see that the owners of these businesses be tried according to Argentine and international law.”
Mrs Kirchner then used a speech in Ushuaia, flanked by veterans of the 1982 war, to ridicule plans to increase defence expenditure.
“Don’t worry. Don’t spend another pound sterling on defending the Malvinas,” she said, using the Argentina term for the Falklands.
“Spend your money feeding the English, on providing jobs for your young people and a better quality of life for the British, because we are not a threat to anyone.
“What a paradox, when there are more than one million Britons eating at the food banks they have had to open in one of the most powerful countries in the world.”
In a typically fiery speech – her last address on the anniversary, given that she steps down in October – she derided as electioneering the announcement of an increase in defence spending. Last week Michael Fallon, the defence secretary, said an extra £180 million would be spent over 10 years to counter “continuous intimidation” from Argentina in the Falklands.
“If you need help for your campaign from the arms lobby, look for another excuse but don’t use Argentina,” she said. “If it’s not enough to win the elections through the things you do during your rule, don’t seek an excuse through Argentina.
“Here we don’t win elections by frightening anyone with any invasion.”
She also celebrated the sacking of Jeremy Clarkson, who caused anger by driving around Patagonia in a car whose number plate seemingly mocked the Falklands.
And she pledged to declassify all secret documents relating to the conflict. Britain two years ago declassified hundreds of files under the 30 year rule – but many remain secret, for what the government sees as security reasons.
Yesterday it was claimed that Britain spied on the Argentine government for five years, amid fears of another attempt to reclaim the Falkland Islands.
Documents released by American whistle-blower Edward Snowden are said to allege that British agents were actively spying on Argentina between 2006 and 2011.
The large scale operation may have involved implanting computer viruses, circulating false propaganda and collecting intelligence with the aim of diminishing or discrediting the Argentine government, according to the BBC.
The reports were published on Friday by several Argentine news agencies.
There has been no formal response from either the British or Argentine government to the allegations.