Chagos Islands: Do not give away Diego Garcia, Trump tells UK

Former US President Donald Trump has strongly voiced his opposition to the UK’s plan to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back the strategic Diego Garcia military base. Through a post on social media, Trump asserted that “this land should not be taken away from the UK” and described such a move as “a blight on our Great Ally.” His remarks come just ahead of scheduled discussions between the United States and Mauritius regarding the islands.

The Chagos archipelago, officially known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, includes Diego Garcia, the largest island and an important joint military base operated by both UK and US forces. Trump emphasized the island’s critical strategic position within the Indian Ocean and criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, warning him against entering into a 100-year lease for the territory. In his statement on Truth Social, Trump accused Starmer of “losing control” of the island amid demands from previously unknown entities, underscoring his willingness for the US to defend the UK and urging resilience against domestic challenges described as “Wokeism.”

The UK Foreign Office responded by emphasizing that the agreement with Mauritius was essential to safeguarding the security interests of the UK and its allies. A spokesperson described the deal as “the only way to guarantee the long-term future of this vital military base.” Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that Trump’s comments were reflective of his administration’s policies, highlighting the former president’s direct communication style via the Truth Social platform.

Political reactions within the UK varied sharply. Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel condemned Trump’s remarks as “an utter humiliation” for Prime Minister Starmer and called for the deal to be scrapped. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey pointed to Trump’s inconsistent stance as a signal that the UK should seek closer alliances with Europe rather than rely on unpredictable US support. Meanwhile, Reform Party leader Nigel Farage welcomed Trump’s earlier criticism of the UK government’s handling of the issue. Concurrently, four Chagos islanders protesting the handover landed on a remote atoll of the islands and resisted eviction by British maritime patrols, highlighting ongoing local opposition to the deal. The islands have been under British control since 1814 but remain contentious due to Mauritius’s claim that the territory was unlawfully ceded during the country’s independence process

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