Argentina has filed criminal charges against British oil firms exploring in waters near the Falkland Islands in a fresh diplomatic row over the territory, the Argentinian foreign ministry said last night.

Argentina's president has publically criticised David Cameron after remarks the British Prime Minister made about the Falkland Islands.

Latin American and Caribbean nations backed Argentina’s claim of sovereignty to the Falkland Islands in a growing dispute with Britain over plans to drill for oil off the islands in the Atlantic.

Juan Sebastian Veron has raised the temperature ahead of Argentina’s World Cup clash with England in Sapporo on Friday by raising the spectre of the Falklands War.