Bolivia's Coastline: A Historical Perspective On Bolivia's Maritime Access

Bolivia, a landlocked country in South America, has a complicated history with its coastline. The country, which gained independence from Spain in 1825, initially had access to the Pacific Ocean through the Atacama Desert. However, disputes over natural resources with Chile led to the War of the Pacific in 1879, resulting in Bolivia losing its entire coastline to Chile. This loss has had a significant impact on Bolivia's national identity and politics, with the country still seeking to regain access to the sea.

Every year on March 23, Bolivians commemorate their lost coastline with El Dia del Mar (The Day of the Sea). This date marks the Battle of Topater in 1879, the first battle in the War of the Pacific, where Bolivia attempted to defend the town of Calama from Chile. The country's obsession with regaining access to the sea is evident in its celebrations, with people gathering in town squares to watch music videos about the sea and politicians giving speeches about the issue.

Bolivia's desire for a coastline is not just about national pride; it is also an economic matter. Being landlocked has negatively impacted Bolivia's economy, making trade more expensive and difficult. Additionally, the country still maintains a navy, founded in 1963, despite not having a sea to sail on.

Bolivia has made several attempts to negotiate with Chile over the years, but to no avail. In 2013, Bolivia even took Chile to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), arguing that Chile was obligated to negotiate and grant Bolivia sovereign access to the sea. However, the ICJ ruled against Bolivia in 2018, stating that Chile had no such obligation.

Despite the setbacks, Bolivia continues to pursue its dream of restoring its access to the coast. In the words of Bolivian President Evo Morales, We will never give up on our sovereign route to the sea.

Bolivia lost its coastline in 1879 during the War of the Pacific

During the War of the Pacific, Bolivia lost territory to Chile, including its entire coastline. The war ended with the Treaty of Ancón and the Treaty of Valparaíso. In the treaties, Chile gained a significant amount of resource-rich territory from Bolivia and Peru, and Bolivia became a landlocked country.

The loss of its coastline has had a significant impact on Bolivia's politics and national identity. Every year on March 23, Bolivians celebrate a national Day of the Sea to commemorate the loss of their coastline. Bolivia has also made efforts to regain access to the sea, including through negotiations with Chile and by taking its case to the International Court of Justice.

The Day of the Sea is an annual celebration in Bolivia

Bolivia is a landlocked country that lost its coastline to Chile during the War of the Pacific (1879-1883). On 23 March every year, Bolivia celebrates the Day of the Sea (Día del Mar) to commemorate the loss of the Litoral Department, a 120,000-square-kilometre coastal region along the Pacific Coast.

The Day of the Sea is a solemn occasion marked by parades, dances, fairs, and other acts throughout the country. In La Paz, there is a ceremony at the Plaza Abaroa in honour of war hero Eduardo Abaroa, who famously replied "Me, surrender? Tell your grandmother to surrender!" when Chilean soldiers ordered him to surrender during the Battle of Calama on 23 March 1879. Abaroa was then shot dead.

The day is also an opportunity for Bolivia to reiterate its claims for access to the Pacific Ocean. In 1904, Bolivia and Chile signed a treaty in which Bolivia ceded its coastal territories to Chile. However, Bolivia continues to insist on revising the treaty. In 2013, Bolivia brought a petition against Chile to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), asking the court to find that Chile was obligated to negotiate with Bolivia towards granting Bolivia sovereign access to the sea. In 2018, the ICJ ruled that Chile was not obligated to negotiate, but the court did not rule on which nation rightfully controlled the disputed territory. Bolivia's president, Evo Morales, vowed that the country "will never give up" its pursuit of access to the Pacific Ocean.

Bolivia has a navy despite being landlocked

Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America that lost its coastline during the War of the Pacific, which lasted from 1879 to 1883. Despite not having a coastline, Bolivia has a navy, known as the Armada Boliviana, which was established in 1963. The Bolivian Navy has approximately 5,000 personnel and a fleet of several dozen boats, including riverine patrol vessels and seagoing ships.

The existence of the Bolivian Navy serves several purposes. Firstly, it is a symbol of Bolivia's hope and determination to regain its lost coastline. The country has never fully reconciled with the loss of its coast, and the Navy serves as a constant reminder that Bolivia has not given up on its claim. The Navy also participates in parades and government functions, particularly the annual Día del Mar (Day of the Sea), during which Bolivia reaffirms its demand for sovereign access to the sea.

Secondly, the Bolivian Navy has practical purposes and carries out important duties within the country. Bolivia has thousands of miles of navigable rivers that require patrolling, and the Navy plays a crucial role in intercepting smugglers, combating drug trafficking, and delivering medical supplies to remote communities. The Navy also responds to natural disasters, such as rescuing people and livestock during floods. Additionally, Navy personnel have participated in United Nations peacekeeping missions, such as in Haiti.

The Bolivian Navy operates primarily on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, which Bolivia shares with Peru. Bolivia also patrols its river borders with Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, and has a naval unit stationed in the Argentine city of Rosario.

In recent years, there have been efforts to negotiate access to the ocean for Bolivia. In 2010, Peru granted Bolivia the use of a port on the Pacific Coast in a 99-year deal. Additionally, Chile has shown some willingness to discuss coastal access, despite previously maintaining a firm refusal to negotiate. However, despite these efforts, Bolivia's dream of restoring its coastline remains unfulfilled, and the country continues to yearn for a path to the Pacific.

Bolivia has tried to negotiate access to the sea through Peru

Bolivia has long tried to negotiate access to the sea through Peru. In 1920, representatives of Bolivia and Chile met in La Paz, where Chilean representatives said they were "willing to seek that Bolivia acquire its own access to the sea". However, this would involve ceding territory to Bolivia that was subject to a plebiscite under the Treaty of Ancón, to which Peru was also a signatory. In 1975, Chile and Bolivia agreed to a territorial swap with the Charaña Accords, but this would also require the approval of Peru. Peru instead proposed a region of shared sovereignty between the three nations, which was rejected by both Chile and Bolivia.

In 2013, Bolivia's President Evo Morales filed a lawsuit at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to force Chile to negotiate the handover of some of its land. However, the ICJ ruled against forcing Chile to negotiate in 2018. Despite this setback, Morales continued efforts to begin negotiations with Chile. Bolivia has also planned to decrease its dependence on Chilean ports by transitioning trade to Peruvian ports.

Bolivia has taken Chile to the International Court of Justice

In 2013, Bolivia initiated proceedings against Chile at the ICJ, arguing that Chile had an obligation to negotiate and grant Bolivia sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean. Bolivia asserted that Chile had committed to this obligation through agreements, diplomatic practices, and declarations by its highest-level representatives. According to Bolivia, Chile had not complied with this obligation and denied its existence. Bolivia invoked Article XXXI of the American Treaty on Pacific Settlement (Pact of Bogotá) of 1948 as the basis for the ICJ's jurisdiction.

Chile objected to the ICJ's jurisdiction, citing the 1904 Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the two countries, which settled border issues and granted Bolivia non-sovereign access through Chilean territory. Chile argued that the treaty had fixed the borders and that the ICJ had no authority in the matter. However, the ICJ rejected Chile's preliminary objection and found that it had jurisdiction to hear the case, reframing the complaint to focus on the obligation to negotiate without specifying the goal.

The ICJ heard oral arguments from both parties in March 2018 and delivered its judgment in October 2018. The court ruled that Chile did not have an obligation to negotiate with Bolivia towards granting sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean, rejecting Bolivia's complaint and all eight of its arguments. The ICJ found that none of the interactions or statements made by either country indicated an intent to be legally bound.

Despite the ruling, the ICJ encouraged both parties to continue their dialogue and exchanges, recognising that addressing Bolivia's landlocked situation was a matter of mutual interest. The Bolivian president, Evo Morales, interpreted this as a call to continue negotiations, while the Chilean president, Sebastián Piñera, expressed disappointment with the time spent on the case.

In addition to the dispute over maritime access, Bolivia and Chile have also been involved in a separate case at the ICJ regarding the use and sovereignty of the Silala River, which has been a source of contention between the two countries since the 19th century.

Frequently asked questions