Argentina unveils new bank note which has a picture of the Falklands on one side – and anti-British propaganda on the other
- Map of disputed islands will appear on one side of the 50 peso note
- Back is Argentine folk hero who led 19th century uprising against British
- Aim is to give 'unwavering claim' over Falklands a daily use
- Fighting killed 255 British and 649 Argentine soldiers and three civilians
A new Argentine banknote featuring a map of the Falklands is to enter circulation next month.
The disputed archipelago will appear on the face side of the blue 50 peso note - worth £3.70.
The reverse side will carry the image of an Argentine folk hero who led a bloody 19th century uprising against the British in the Falklands.
Antonio Rivero will be pictured riding across the islands on horseback with an Argentine flag hoisted above his head.
Disputed territory: The new 50-peso bill carrying a map of the Islas Malvinas, or Falkland Islands, which Buenos Aires claims sovereignty over
Defiant: Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez ( right) speaks next to Vice President Amado Boudou (left) at a ceremony at Casa Rosada presidential palace marking the 32th anniversary of the start of the Falkland conflict
The timing of the new banknote, bound to anger Britain, was announced today by Argentina's Central Bank.
Bank president Alejandro Vanoli said: 'The aim of this new banknote is to incorporate the Argentine nation's unwavering claim over the Falklands Islands into an element of daily use.'
Rivero's August 1833 uprising, eight months after the British took control of the Falkland Islands, claimed the lives of five men.
The gang he led went unpunished because a local court system had not been established - and he went on to acquire the status of a folk hero in Argentina.
Argentine president Cristina Kirchner announced the creation of the new 50 peso note last April at a ceremony marking the 32nd anniversary of the Falklands War with Britain which cost the lives of nearly 1,000 soldiers.
She removed an Argentine flag covering a giant mock-up of the banknote to rapturous applause from supporters.
Folk hero: Antonio Rivero is pictured riding across the islands on horseback with an Argentine flag hoisted above his head on the new 50 peso note. He led a bloody 19th century uprising against the British in the Falklands
A spokesman, describing the Falklands by their Spanish name of Islas Malvinas, added: 'This is a homage to our Islas Malvinas and to all those who gave their lives to this cause. 'It will compel every Argentine to keep alive on a daily basis the flames of love for our islands which are and always will be ours.'
Argentine forces invaded the Falklands on April 2 1982 but were forced to surrender 74 days later.
The fighting claimed the lives of 255 British soldiers, three civilian islanders and 649 Argentine soldiers, many of them conscripts.
Kelpers reacted to today's news by mocking Argentina's depleted economy.
One popular island-based group tweeted alongside a picture of the new note: 'Surprised they can afford a colour printer.'
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