Latin American and Caribbean nations renewed their support for Argentina's claim of sovereignty over the Falkland Islands on Monday, the same day a British oil exploration company announced drilling plans near the disputed territory.

At the Rio Group summit of 32 countries hosted by Mexico, Argentina presented a statement quoting Mexican President Felipe Calderon as saying that "the heads of state represented here reaffirm their support for the legitimate rights of the republic of Argentina in the sovereignty dispute with Great Britain."

Britain and Argentina have long disputed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, known in Latin America as La Malvinas, and fought a brief war there in 1982.

Argentina expressed its displeasure Monday after British oil company Desire Petroleum PLC said it has started drilling for oil about 100 kilometres north of the disputed islands.

Both sides have pledged to resolve the dispute peacefully, with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez saying her country would not try to keep British boats or rigs out.

"We do not believe in methods like blockades," she told reporters.

Mexico's former deputy foreign minister Andres Rosenthal said it's unclear how support from Latin American and Caribbean countries will manifest itself in the current dispute, but he said it should come as no surprise that they have backed Argentina.

"If we go back to the original crisis between Argentina and the United Kingdom in La Malvinas, it was quite clear at that point that the entire continent of Latin America supported Argentina," said Rosenthal.

Argentina has attempted to gain control of the islands since Britain seized them in the 19th century. In April 1982, the South American country invaded the Falklands and held them until June, when British forces retook the territory after seven-week conflict.

Diplomatic relations were restored in 1990, but the issue of sovereignty over the islands has remained largely unresolved.

With files from The Associated Press