Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz received José Antonio Kast at the Palacio Quemado, the seat of government in La Paz. According to ADN Radio, Paz warned that the maritime claim “constitutes a permanent objective that cannot be relinquished,” although both governments agreed to prioritize the future of their relationship.
The visit carries historical significance. According to ADN Radio, it comes 71 years after the last official visit by a Chilean president to Bolivia. The two countries do not maintain full diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level, and access to the sea has shaped their relationship since the War of the Pacific.
In his opening remarks, Paz thanked Chile for its support during Bolivia's recent internal crisis. He referred to 53 days of demonstrations and roadblocks, which he described as a “fierce attack by groups financed by narcoterrorism.”
He then addressed the maritime issue. He acknowledged that the claim is rooted in Bolivia's Constitution. “Bolivia does not renounce its history, does not renounce its rights and does not renounce dialogue,” he said. However, he made clear that the past should not hold back development or mutual progress.
Paz emphasized citizens' well-being through the agreements signed. “Part of it is resolving the problems of the past, yes, but the future is always better than the past,” he said. He also proposed a joint platform to channel exports toward the Pacific basin. ADN Radio does not detail the contents of the agreements signed.
Kast struck a similar tone. He recalled a speech by former Bolivian President Jaime Paz Zamora in 2023 and stated: “President Paz, today we stop turning our backs on each other.” He added that he had not traveled to La Paz merely as a political gesture and sought concrete declarations.
The Chilean president acknowledged that the countries hold opposing territorial positions. Even so, he dismissed the idea that these posed an insurmountable obstacle to the economy. “Differences cannot be an excuse for remaining paralyzed,” he said.
In terms of who gains and who loses, the outcome is mixed. Chile secures closer ties without yielding on sovereignty. Bolivia keeps its claim intact in its rhetoric but accepts deferring it in favor of the economic agenda.
According to ADN Radio, La Moneda tasked the Political Consultation Mechanism with working within a framework of mutual trust. The next step already has a date: Rodrigo Paz will make a state visit to Chile in 2027.
