Bolivia and Chile open a new era in their relations after decades of estrangement

Rodrigo Paz receives José Antonio Kast during the Chilean president's official visit to La Paz. October 16. (REUTERS/Claudia Morales)Bolivia and Chile agreed on Friday to "stop turning their backs on each other" and open a new era of good neighborliness during President José Antonio Kast's visit, the first by a Chilean head of state to La Paz in 71 years, to sign agreements on economic cooperation and the fight against organized crime along their extensive border. Kast was received by Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz with military honors and a red carpet in La Paz's main square, and in an unprecedented gesture, Bolivian soldiers sang the Chilean national anthem. After their meeting, they signed a joint declaration to "deepen the bilateral relationship," three economic and trade cooperation agreements, and a mining alliance for technical support. Despite sharing an extensive and porous 861-kilometer border, Kast and his Bolivian counterpart did not discuss restoring diplomatic relations, which have been severed since 1978. "It's early; there is a path to work on to change the approach in relations, and it will take time. It's about signing agreements of mutual benefit," said Bolivian Minister of the Presidency Fernando Aramayo earlier. The two countries agreed on technical studies for a fiber-optic corridor between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. (REUTERS/Claudia Morales)Another agreement concerns digital connectivity to promote studies for a land-based fiber-optic corridor that will connect the Pacific with the Atlantic through Bolivian territory, as well as a plan for electrical interconnection. For Bolivia, a key agreement concerns "Chile's guarantees" for the free transit of goods to Chilean ports, through which Bolivia moves 70% of its foreign trade, and facilities to convert an oil pipeline that will allow it to import crude oil to address a chronic fuel shortage. On security, both countries agreed on an alliance to jointly confront organized crime operating along the border, trafficking drugs, contraband goods and automobiles, and facilitating illegal migration. Rodrigo Paz and José Antonio Kast sign bilateral agreements during the official visit to La Paz. October 16. (REUTERS/Claudia Morales)Both Paz and Kast, two ideologically aligned leaders and partners in the Shield of the Americas, the continental security alliance led by U.S. President Donald Trump, described the visit as "historic" and made clear the differences that have divided the two countries since the war that pitted them against each other 147 years ago, which cost Bolivians their coastline. "There are differences that are historic. Bolivia has its positions, Chile has its own, but beyond that, we have learned that differences cannot be an excuse to remain paralyzed. Nothing ever ends completely, and everything can begin again," said Kast, noting that they will work on the differences "step by step" toward a full normalization of relations. Paz responded that his country's maritime claim "is non-negotiable" but that it "should not be an anchor" because "the future is always better than the past." He added that nearly half a million Bolivians work in cherry cultivation in Chile and have made their lives in that country. After signing the agreements, Paz and Kast shared a lunch with their delegations. Associated Press