Chile's Stake in Bolivia's Elections

Chile is watching the current electoral process in Bolivia with careful attention, as it may determine the future of an international agreement between the countries regarding Bolivia’s access to the Pacific Ocean. In September 2015, a UN Court ruled that they would hear Bolivia’s argument for reclaiming territory linking them to the Pacific Ocean that was lost in the Pacific War of 1879-1884. Chile remains adamant that they will neither negotiate nor grant concessions

After a recent referendum, Morales, the current Bolivian president, will not be running for re-election. His now weakened state of power may mean further pursuit of his case at the UN to gain sovereign rule over the Atacama corridor and access to the Pacific.

According to El País, the Chilean chancellor has stated that with a new Bolivian leader in office, Chile would take advantage of the opportunity to “reestablish diplomatic relations with Bolivia, without conditions.” With this in mind, Chile views Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca as well as the Vice President Alvaro García Lineras as potential successors of Morales, but there is still uncertainty about the election as well as the future of the historically strained relations between these two nations.