In 1862 he established a small shelter, San Juan de Salvamento, on the Isla de los Estados, as a refuge for shipwrecked sailors and to establish Argentine sovereignty.

On 2 December 1864 the National Government gave him the title of "unpaid honorary captain" to defend Argentine sovereignty in Patagonia.

The American Consul in Argentina protested Vernet's actions and stated that the United States did not recognise Argentine sovereignty in the Falklands.

Many Spanish speakers use "Puerto Stanley", as a neutral translation of the British name, but it is not liked by supporters of Argentine sovereignty, because it refers to a British politician.

Argentina has, since 1927, protested every British action that it has known about that contradicted Argentine sovereignty of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

Eventually both Britain and France gave in, signing treaties acknowledging the Argentine sovereignty over its rivers in 1849 (Britain) and 1850 (France).

Establishment of the post office and radio station were marked with cacheted envelopes that asserted full Argentine sovereignty over Islas Malvinas.

Hunt's role was to persuade the islanders that Argentine sovereignty was in their best interests.

They were told they should endeavour to conduct a "hearts and minds" policy to persuade the Falklanders that they should embrace Argentina's approaches for Argentine sovereignty with more sympathy.

The American Consul in Argentina protested the actions by Vernet, stating that the United States did not recognise Argentine sovereignty in the Falklands.