Bolivia's Lost Coast: A Geopolitical Tragedy

Bolivia's loss of its coastline is a historical injustice that remains an emotive issue for the country. Bolivia lost its access to the sea in 1884 after being defeated by Chile in the War of the Pacific, resulting in the loss of 120,000 sq km of land. The two countries have had strained relations since, with diplomatic ties being severed in 1978. In 1904, Bolivia signed a peace treaty with Chile, accepting the loss of its coastline in return for fullest and freest commercial access to the port. However, this did not satisfy Bolivia, and in 2013, Bolivian President Evo Morales filed a lawsuit at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to force Chile to negotiate the return of some of its land. The ICJ ruled against Bolivia, stating that Chile was not obliged to enter negotiations. Despite this, President Morales has vowed that Bolivia will never give up on regaining access to the sea.

Bolivia lost its coastline in the War of the Pacific (1878-1879)

The War of the Pacific also involved Peru, who fought alongside Bolivia. The war ended in 1879, and in 1904, Bolivia signed a peace treaty with Chile, accepting the loss of its coastline in return for the "fullest and freest" commercial access to port.

Bolivia has never forgotten its dream of returning to the Pacific coast. Every year on March 23, Bolivians celebrate a national Day of the Sea. The country even maintains a small navy, with 5,000 troops drilling on the Amazon and Lake Titicaca, and patrolling Bolivia's river borders with Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina.

In 2013, Bolivia's President Evo Morales filed a lawsuit at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, seeking to force Chile to negotiate the handover of some of its land. The ICJ ruled against Bolivia, stating that Chile was not obliged to negotiate granting Bolivia access to the sea. Despite this, President Morales has said that Bolivia will never give up its dream of regaining a coastline.

Chile annexed Bolivia's coastline, leaving it landlocked

In 1904, Bolivia signed a peace treaty with Chile, accepting its loss of the coastline in return for a promise of "fullest and freest" commercial access to the port. However, this did not satisfy Bolivia, and the feud has continued to create tensions between the two countries. Bolivia still maintains a navy and celebrates the Day of the Sea every year.

In 2013, Bolivian President Evo Morales filed a lawsuit at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, demanding that Chile negotiate the handover of some of its land. Bolivia argued that the lack of sea access had stunted its economic growth and that Chile had reneged on promises to negotiate. However, Chile maintained that the 1904 peace treaty had resolved the matter and that Bolivia already had favourable access to its ports.

In 2018, the ICJ ruled against forcing Chile to negotiate, stating that Chile did not have an obligation to do so. This was a significant setback for President Morales, who had been using the dispute as a political tool to gain support for his controversial bid for a fourth term in 2019. Despite the ruling, he declared that "Bolivia will never give up" on regaining its sovereign route to the sea.

Bolivia has tried to regain access to the sea ever since

Bolivia has never given up on its dreams of regaining access to the ocean. 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. The feud has created tensions between the neighbours, who have suspended full diplomatic relations since 1978.

In 1920, Chilean representatives said they were "willing to seek that Bolivia acquire its own access to the sea". In 1926, the Chilean ambassador to the US discussed the possibility of dividing the contested territory between Bolivia, Chile, and Peru with the US Secretary of State. Bolivia sought a resolution to the disagreement at the League of Nations, despite objections from Chile, which sought unilateral negotiations. In 1950, the two nations agreed to enter into formal negotiations over the issue, but instead discussed improvements to the current arrangement. In the early 1960s, both countries sought negotiations, but they did not take place. In 1975 and 1976, Chile and Bolivia agreed to a territorial swap with the Charaña Accords, but this would have required the approval of Peru, which instead proposed a region of shared sovereignty between the three nations. This was rejected by both Chile and Bolivia. In 1978, Bolivia cut diplomatic ties with Chile due to a lack of progress in negotiations.

In 2013, Bolivia suspended ongoing negotiations and brought a petition against Chile before the ICJ. In 2014, Chile raised preliminary objections to the court's jurisdiction, citing Article VI of the Pact of Bogotá. In 2015, the court found that it did have jurisdiction to hear the case, rejecting Chile's preliminary objection.

In 2018, the ICJ ruled against forcing Chile to negotiate giving up a slice of its territory to provide neighbouring Bolivia with a route to the sea. Chilean President Sebastián Piñera celebrated the ruling and criticised Morales for creating "false expectations and great frustration" among his people. Morales said that Bolivia "will never give up on our sovereign route to the sea".

The International Court of Justice ruled in Chile's favour in 2018

On 1 October 2018, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in Chile's favour in a dispute with Bolivia over access to the Pacific Ocean. The ruling was the culmination of a five-year legal battle between the two countries, which have had tense relations since the War of the Pacific in the late 19th century.

The War of the Pacific

Bolivia lost its access to the sea in 1884 after it was defeated by Chile in the War of the Pacific, which also involved Peru. Bolivia lost 120,000 sq km of land, including a 250-mile coastline on the southern Pacific Ocean, and became a landlocked country.

The 1904 Peace Treaty

In 1904, Bolivia and Chile signed a peace treaty. In exchange for the loss of its coastal province, Chile promised Bolivia the "fullest and freest" commercial access to port. Chile also agreed to build a railway between its port of Arica and La Paz, Bolivia's capital, and allow Bolivia a right of free transit across its territory and in its ports. The railway was completed in 1913.

Bolivia's Position

Bolivia argued that Chile had an obligation to "negotiate a sovereign access to the sea" for Bolivia. It claimed that Chile had undertaken a legal obligation to negotiate on this issue through various "agreements, diplomatic practice and a series of declarations". Bolivia also asserted that Chile had not complied with this obligation.

Chile's Position

Chile insisted that it had stuck to the terms of the 1904 peace treaty and that Bolivia enjoyed duty-free port access, as well as having its own customs station and storage facilities on the Chilean coast.

The ICJ Ruling

The ICJ rejected each of the eight legal bases invoked by Bolivia and ruled that Chile was not obliged to negotiate granting Bolivia access to the Pacific Ocean. The ICJ's ruling was final and binding, but Bolivian President Evo Morales said, "Bolivia will never give up" on regaining access to the sea.

Bolivia still maintains a navy and celebrates the Day of the Sea annually

Bolivia lost its coastline during the War of the Pacific (1878-1879) when it fought alongside Peru against Chile. The war ended in 1884, with Chile emerging as the victor. Bolivia lost 120,000 sq km of land, including its 250-mile coastline on the southern Pacific Ocean, and became a landlocked country.

Despite losing its coastline, Bolivia still maintains a navy, which was established in 1963 as a "river force" using cast-off vessels from the US and China. The Bolivian Navy, or Armada Boliviana, has approximately 5,000 personnel and takes part in many parades and government functions. The navy exists to keep alive the hope of recovering Bolivia's coast and cultivating a maritime consciousness.

Every year on March 23, Bolivia celebrates the Day of the Sea (Dia del Mar) to commemorate the loss of its coastline and to revive the collective desire for its return. The day is marked by solemn ceremonies throughout Bolivia, including the laying of flowers at the statue of Eduardo Abaroa, a Bolivian war hero who was killed in the Battle of Topáter, the first battle of the War of the Pacific. The Bolivian Naval Force also participates in parades on this day.

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