Exploring South America: Paraguay, South Of Bolivia?

Bolivia and Paraguay are neighbouring countries in South America. Both countries were initially part of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. In 1932, the two countries broke their diplomatic relations and entered into a war called the Chaco War, which lasted three years, until 1935. This war was fought over control of the northern part of the Gran Chaco region, which was thought to be rich in oil. The war had serious economic, social, and political consequences for both countries.

The Chaco War

The roots of the conflict can be traced back to the War of the Pacific (1879-1884), in which Bolivia lost its entire Pacific coast to Chile. As a result, Bolivia sought an alternative route to the sea, leading to tensions with Paraguay over the Chaco Boreal. The discovery of oil deposits in the eastern Andes further escalated the situation.

Hostilities began in 1928 with a series of clashes initiated by Paraguay, targeting Bolivian outposts in the disputed region. Despite attempts at arbitration, full-scale war broke out in 1932. Bolivia, with a larger and better-equipped army, initially seized Paraguayan positions and launched successful attacks. However, Paraguay's innovative military strategies, better suited to the lowland swamps and jungles, gradually turned the tide. The Paraguayan army, led by Colonel José Félix Estigarribia, utilised rapid marches and flanking manoeuvres, while also capitalising on the native Guarani knowledge of the terrain.

The war resulted in significant casualties for both sides, with around 100,000 lives lost. A peace treaty was eventually signed in 1938, granting Paraguay control over most of the disputed region, while Bolivia received navigation rights on the Paraguay and Paraná Rivers. The conflict had severe economic, social, and political consequences for both nations, delaying their development and pushing them to the brink of economic collapse.

Bolivia and Paraguay's diplomatic relations

Bolivia and Paraguay have had a tumultuous relationship, with a history of diplomatic tensions and military conflict. Initially, both countries were part of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. However, in 1932, they severed diplomatic ties and engaged in the Chaco War, a three-year conflict over control of the northern part of the Gran Chaco region, which was believed to be rich in oil. The war resulted in serious economic, social, and political consequences for both nations, hindering their development.

Following the Chaco War, Bolivia and Paraguay worked towards restoring their diplomatic relations. In 1938, a Peace Treaty was signed between the two countries, and the subsequent delimitation of borders occurred. Both nations are now members of several international organizations, including the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Organization of Ibero-American States, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations.

In recent years, there have been efforts to improve relations between the two countries. In 2009, Bolivian President Evo Morales and Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo signed an agreement settling a border dispute that had been a lingering issue since the Chaco War. President Lugo expressed hope that natural resources could be developed and utilized by both countries cooperatively.

However, relations between Bolivia and Paraguay continue to experience fluctuations, influenced by political changes and ideological differences. The impeachment of President Lugo in 2012, for instance, led to increased tension between the two countries. Nonetheless, both nations maintain embassies and consulates in each other's capitals and continue to work towards regional cooperation and the resolution of outstanding disputes.

The Chaco region

The Chaco is about 647,500 sq km (250,000 sq mi) in size, though estimates differ. It is located west of the Paraguay River and east of the Andes, and is mostly an alluvial sedimentary plain. The Chaco is extremely flat, rising gently from the Paraná-Paraguay river system in the east to western Argentina and the lowlands of eastern Bolivia. The landscape is mostly flat and slopes at a 0.004-degree gradient to the east.

The Chaco is divided by rivers into three sections: the Chaco Austral between the Salado and Bermejo rivers, the Chaco Central between the Bermejo and Pilcomayo rivers, and the Chaco Boreal from the Pilcomayo to just north of the Paraguay-Bolivia border. The Chaco Boreal may be further divided into two parts: the Alto Chaco (Upper Chaco), and the Bajo Chaco (Lower Chaco). The Alto Chaco is very dry and sparsely vegetated, while the Bajo Chaco has a more open savanna vegetation consisting of palm trees, quebracho trees, and tropical high-grass areas.

The Chaco was historically occupied by nomadic peoples, notably the various groups making up the Guaycuru, who resisted Spanish control of the Chaco from the 16th until the early 20th centuries. In pre-Columbian times, the Chaco region was synonymous with the unknown. The pre-Hispanic inhabitants of the Altiplano simply called it "chacu", or "great hunting ground". The Guarani from Paraguay and Brazil crossed it to trade with Andean peoples.

In the 18th century, Spanish ranchers and timber merchants penetrated the Chaco. During the late 19th century, venture capitalists from Argentina and Europe sought to open the Chaco to commercial exploitation, focusing on the region's hardwoods. Their efforts were hampered by the climate, terrain, and native resistance. The Chaco was also the site of the Chaco War (1932-1935), fought between Bolivia and Paraguay over control of the northern part of the region, which was thought to be rich in oil.

The Chaco Peace Conference

The Chaco Treaty granted Paraguay clear title to most of the disputed region, but Bolivia was given a corridor to the Paraguay River. This outcome reflected the situation on the ground at the end of the war, with Paraguay controlling most of the disputed territory. The peace treaty brought an end to the disastrous conflict, which had serious economic, social, and political consequences for both countries.

The Gran Chaco

Historically, the Chaco has been divided into three main parts: the Chaco Austral or Southern Chaco, inside Argentinian territory; the Chaco Central or Central Chaco, also in Argentinian territory; and the Chaco Boreal or Northern Chaco, inside Paraguayan territory, with a small area shared with Bolivia. The Chaco Boreal played a significant role in the backdrop to the Gran Chaco War between Paraguay and Bolivia from 1932 to 1935. The conflict was over supposed oil deposits in the region, and it ended with a ceasefire and treaty in 1938, which gave Paraguay control over most of the disputed zone.

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