Unwilling to Compromise: Pacific Access for Bolivia

Unwilling to Compromise: Pacific Access for Bolivia

On March 23, 2011, as the latest move in the longstanding territorial dispute between Bolivia and Chile, Bolivia intensified pressure on Chile in order to secure for itself “free and sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean.” It did so by threatening to bring a case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) located in The Hague. The War of the Pacific, fought 1879-1883 between Bolivia and Peru on one side and Chile (the eventual winner) on the other, left a bitter legacy that has shrouded the region for decades. Bolivia has insisted on the unconditional return of a portion of annexed land, hoping to regain its access to the sea. Despite recent efforts by Bolivia and Chile to calm the two countries’ historically truculent relationship, each nation’s persistent reluctance to resolve outstanding conflicts has stalled talks. In response to what La Paz perceives as hostile action, a group of Chilean senators threatened to suspend bilateral talks if Bolivia does, indeed, take the case before the ICJ.

As a result of growing tensions, various factors might obstruct the smooth resolution of this 132 year old dispute. Deep-seated resentments nursed by Bolivians, as well as Chile’s total repudiation of La Paz’s territorial claim, and the sensitive nature of this border dispute, among other reasons, have kept the resolution at a stand-still. The Atacama Desert, the territory that would provide Bolivia access to the Pacific Ocean, was annexed by Chile following the War of the Pacific. To comprehend why this issue is so important to Bolivians, one must understand the emotional and economic background behind this impossibly dry, barren, and seemingly useless land.

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This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Associate Daniel Ok.

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