Chile is preparing to sign agreements on digital connectivity, trade and mining for President José Antonio Kast's upcoming visit to La Paz, according to La Tercera. The outlet cites statements by Chile's consul general in Bolivia, Roberto Ruíz, who called the trip "historic" and of "high political value".
The date has not been confirmed, although the visit is expected to take place in mid-October. It would be the first state visit by a Chilean president to Bolivia in 71 years, since Carlos Ibáñez del Campo traveled to that country in August 1955.
Since then there have been official visits, but not state visits, such as attendance at presidential inaugurations. Former President Ricardo Lagos, for example, traveled in 2002 to the funeral of General Hugo Banzer, a former Bolivian head of state.
In an interview with the Bolivian outlet Brújula, Ruíz explained that both presidents have shown willingness to work on a "concrete and pragmatic" agenda. The first agreement would be Bolivia's connection to the Humboldt submarine fiber optic cable, which will link that country directly with Asia and Oceania.
The second item is the modernization of Economic Complementation Agreement No. 22 (ACE 22), in force since 1992. According to the consul, the terms of reference will be signed during the visit, which he described as the basis for improving trade. A mining cooperation agreement would also be signed.
Ruíz added that the two foreign ministries have already discussed these issues and noted that a month and a half ago the police commanders of both countries met in La Paz. In his view, that cooperation is one of the pillars of Chile's international agenda and will likely be a topic of conversation.
Chile and Bolivia have not had diplomatic relations at the ambassador level since 1978, and Bolivia's maritime claim shaped the relationship for decades. Asked whether the sea issue will come up during the visit, the consul replied that Chile's position "is well known" and rests on the 1904 Treaty of Peace and Friendship and the 2018 ruling of the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Within that framework, he said, there is room to make progress on faster free transit, more efficient ports, lower logistics costs and better connectivity. He highlighted the push for logistics through the port of Mejillones, in the Región de Antofagasta (Antofagasta Region), whose general manager took part last week in a meeting in Santa Cruz.
For Chile, the agenda has a direct economic component: Bolivia is a longtime user of the northern ports, and adding cargo from eastern Bolivia through Mejillones would expand the role of those terminals. Ruíz said the goal is for Bolivia to gain a presence in international markets and that the most lasting impact will be establishing "a way of working".
Neither La Moneda (the Chilean presidential palace) nor the Bolivian government has publicly confirmed the date of the trip or the final content of the agreements.
