Argentina had a tense relationship with the United Kingdom because of the recently ended Falklands War.
The British government banned all foreign ships from the exclusion zone of the islands in 1986.
Argentina organised air and marine patrols, as well as military maneuvers in the Patagonia.
However, this was not enough to placate the military hard-liners in Argentina.
Alfonsín proposed the postponement the sovereignty discussions, instead negotiating for a de jure cease of hostilities, with a reduction in the number of military forces and a normalization of Argentina–United Kingdom relations.
The United Kingdom did not trust the proposal, suspecting that it was a cover-up for sovereignty discussions.

The Beagle conflict was still an unresolved problem with Chile, despite the 1978 Papal mediation.
The military, troubled by the trial of the juntas, called for rejection of the proposed agreement and a continuation of the country's claim over the islands.
Alfonsín called for a referendum to settle the dispute.
Despite opposition from the military and the Justicialist party, who called for abstention, support for the resolution referendum reached 82%.
The bill passed in the Senate by a single vote majority, as the PJ maintained its resistance.
The Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1984 between Chile and Argentina was signed the following year, ending the conflict.
The human rights violations committed by the Chilean president Augusto Pinochet remained a contentious issue, as well as the revelation of Chilean help to British forces during the Falklands War.
The Argentine church invited Pope John Paul II for a second visit to Argentina in 1987, to celebrate his successful mediation.
He celebrated World Youth Day next to the Obelisk of Buenos Aires, and gave a mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján.

Argentina allied with Brazil, Uruguay and Peru, three countries that had also recently ended their local military dictatorships, to mediate in the conflict between the United States and Nicaragua.
They created the Contadora support group, to support the Contadora group from South America.
Both groups negotiated together, but ultimately failed because of the reluctance of both Nicaragua and the United States to change their positions.
The group changed its scope later to discuss foreign debt and diplomacy with the United Kingdom in relation to the Falklands conflict.

Initially, Alfonsín refused to foster diplomatic relations with the Brazilian military government, and only did so when the dictatorship ended and José Sarney became president.
One of their initial concerns was to increase Argentine–Brazilian trade.
Both presidents met in Foz do Iguaçu and issued a joint declaration about the peaceful use of nuclear power.
A second meeting in Buenos Aires strengthened the trade agreements.
Argentina and Brazil signed the Program of Integration and Economic Cooperation (PICE), and in 1988 both countries and Uruguay agreed to create a common market.
This led to the 1991 Treaty of Asunción, that created the Mercosur.
Argentina had a tense relationship with the United Kingdom because of the recently ended Falklands War. The British government banned all foreign ships from the exclusion zone of the islands in 1986. Argentina organised air and marine patrols, as well as military maneuvers in the Patagonia. However, this was not enough to placate the military hard-liners in Argentina. Alfonsín proposed the postponement the sovereignty discussions, instead negotiating for a de jure cease of hostilities, with a reduction in the number of military forces and a normalization of Argentina–United Kingdom relations. The United Kingdom did not trust the proposal, suspecting that it was a cover-up for sovereignty discussions.
The Beagle conflict was still an unresolved problem with Chile, despite the 1978 Papal mediation. The military, troubled by the trial of the juntas, called for rejection of the proposed agreement and a continuation of the country's claim over the islands. Alfonsín called for a referendum to settle the dispute. Despite opposition from the military and the Justicialist party, who called for abstention, support for the resolution referendum reached 82%. The bill passed in the Senate by a single vote majority, as the PJ maintained its resistance. The Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1984 between Chile and Argentina was signed the following year, ending the conflict. The human rights violations committed by the Chilean president Augusto Pinochet remained a contentious issue, as well as the revelation of Chilean help to British forces during the Falklands War. The Argentine church invited Pope John Paul II for a second visit to Argentina in 1987, to celebrate his successful mediation. He celebrated World Youth Day next to the Obelisk of Buenos Aires, and gave a mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján.
Argentina allied with Brazil, Uruguay and Peru, three countries that had also recently ended their local military dictatorships, to mediate in the conflict between the United States and Nicaragua. They created the Contadora support group, to support the Contadora group from South America. Both groups negotiated together, but ultimately failed because of the reluctance of both Nicaragua and the United States to change their positions. The group changed its scope later to discuss foreign debt and diplomacy with the United Kingdom in relation to the Falklands conflict.
Initially, Alfonsín refused to foster diplomatic relations with the Brazilian military government, and only did so when the dictatorship ended and José Sarney became president. One of their initial concerns was to increase Argentine–Brazilian trade. Both presidents met in Foz do Iguaçu and issued a joint declaration about the peaceful use of nuclear power. A second meeting in Buenos Aires strengthened the trade agreements. Argentina and Brazil signed the Program of Integration and Economic Cooperation (PICE), and in 1988 both countries and Uruguay agreed to create a common market. This led to the 1991 Treaty of Asunción, that created the Mercosur.
Raúl Alfonsín