Chile's president visits Bolivia for first time in 71 years

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 19:32 · Archive

Chilean President José Antonio Kast made the first state visit by a Chilean leader to Bolivia in over seven decades.

Chilean President José Antonio Kast arrived in Bolivia on Friday for the first state visit by a Chilean leader in more than seven decades. The visit marks a significant shift in relations between the two neighbours, which have had no ambassador-level diplomatic ties since 1978 following Bolivia's loss of its Pacific coastline to Chile in a 19th-century war.

Both leaders, recently elected conservatives allied with the Trump administration, agreed to set aside their longstanding territorial disputes to focus on cooperation. They discussed an 11-point bilateral agenda aimed at strengthening economic integration. Agreements planned include a memorandum of understanding between the countries' mining ministries on exchanging information on critical minerals, modernised trade agreements to reduce regulatory barriers, and infrastructure projects to develop transportation corridors and fibre-optic connectivity between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The governments also discussed healthcare cooperation and energy integration, including a possible cross-border electricity interconnection.

Bolivian Minister of the Presidency Fernando Aramayo said full diplomatic restoration was not imminent. 'It's too early. There's a path to work on to change the approach to relations, and it will take time,' he said. 'It's about signing mutually beneficial agreements.' The two leaders were scheduled to discuss efforts to combat organised crime along their shared 861-kilometre border.

How it is being reported

• Chilean, Bolivian presidents meet in La Paz for first time in 71 yearsChilean President José Antonio Kast met with Bolivian leader Rodrigo Paz, marking the first state visit by a Chilean president to La Paz in 71 years.UPI · 16 Oct, 19:11
• Chile's president makes first state visit to Bolivia in 71 years as region shifts rightChile’s president is in Bolivia for the first state visit by a Chilean leader in more than seven decadesIndependent World · 16 Oct, 16:04

In this story: José Antonio Kast · Rodrigo Paz · Chile · Bolivia · La Paz

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