Bolivia's Historic Access To The Sea

Bolivia Mar, also known as Boliviamar, is a beach south of Ilo, Peru, that was ceded to Bolivia in 1992 for a renewable period of 99 years. Bolivia Mar is a symbol of Bolivia's access to the sea, which was lost to Chile during the War of the Pacific (1879-1883). Bolivia has since been a landlocked country, and the annual Día del Mar (Day of the Sea) is a reminder of this historical injustice.

Bolivia Mar: A beach in Peru ceded to Bolivia for 99 years in 1992

Bolivia Mar, also written as Boliviamar, is a beach located south of Ilo, Peru. In 1992, the Peruvian government ceded the beach to Bolivia for a renewable period of 99 years. The agreement was signed by the then presidents of Peru and Bolivia, Alberto Fujimori and Jaime Paz Zamora, respectively.

The Ilo agreements signed in 1992 stipulated not only "the transfer of Bolivia Mar" but also the creation of an industrial-free zone in the Peruvian city of Ilo and the provision of facilities for Bolivians to use the port of that town. The concession was projected to reduce commercial ties with Chilean ports, through which Bolivia handles most of its merchandise. This would finally leave behind the belief that its access to the ocean depends on the country that kept the Litoral Department, which gave it access to the Pacific Ocean after the War of the Pacific (1879-1884), in which Bolivia and Peru faced Chile.

Bolivia Mar was presented as the "return" of Bolivia to the sea, and it was hoped that the concession would lead to the construction of tourist centres and infrastructure. However, the steep terrain and difficult access have hindered development, and Bolivia has not initiated any major projects, possibly due to a lack of resources.

In 2022, then-Peruvian President Pedro Castillo sparked controversy by suggesting the possibility of giving Bolivia access to the sea through a popular consultation, which led to a complaint of treason. Castillo clarified that he was referring to the territory of Bolivia Mar and the potential expansion of the area.

Despite the agreements and intentions, Bolivia Mar remains largely undeveloped, with only a 21-metre metal sculpture, "Dos Mujeres", marking the entrance to the beach.

War of the Pacific: The 1879-1883 war that resulted in Bolivia losing its coastline to Chile

The War of the Pacific, also known as the Nitrate War, was fought between Chile and an alliance of Bolivia and Peru from 1879 to 1884. The war was sparked by a dispute over nitrate taxation between Bolivia and Chile, with Peru being drawn in due to its secret alliance with Bolivia.

The direct cause of the war was a violation of the Boundary Treaty of 1874 by Bolivia, which led to Chile occupying the Bolivian port city of Antofagasta. War was declared between Bolivia and Chile on 1 March 1879, and between Chile and Peru on 5 April 1879. The conflict was fought on the Pacific Ocean, in the Atacama Desert, the Peruvian deserts, and the mountainous interior of Peru.

Chile's land campaign ultimately overcame the Bolivian and Peruvian armies. Bolivia withdrew after the Battle of Tacna on 26 May 1880, leaving Peru to fight alone for most of the war. Chilean forces occupied Peru's capital, Lima, in January 1881, and Peru's guerrilla forces were unable to prevent war-weary Peruvian factions from reaching a peace deal with Chile, which involved territorial cessions.

Chile and Peru signed the Treaty of Ancón on 20 October 1883, and Bolivia signed a truce with Chile in 1884. As a result of the war, Chile acquired significant resource-rich territory from Peru and Bolivia, including the Peruvian territory of Tarapacá and the disputed Bolivian department of Litoral, turning Bolivia into a landlocked country.

The loss of its coastline during the War of the Pacific has had a profound and long-lasting impact on Bolivia, and the aspiration to regain sovereign access to the sea has been a recurring theme in the country's domestic and foreign policy.

Día del Mar: An annual celebration commemorating Bolivia's loss of its coastline

Bolivia is a landlocked country that lost its coastline to Chile during the War of the Pacific (1879-1884). Each year on 23 March, the country celebrates Día del Mar ('Day of the Sea') to commemorate its loss of the Litoral Department, which gave it access to the Pacific Ocean. Bolivia has been campaigning for a sovereign outlet to the sea, and in 2013, it took its case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

In 1992, Peru ceded a 5km stretch of its coastline to Bolivia for 99 years, in a bid to reduce Bolivia's commercial dependence on Chilean ports. The beach, called 'Bolivia Mar' or 'Boliviamar', is located in the Ilo Province in the Moquegua region of Peru. However, the agreement did not grant Bolivia territorial secession or freedom to develop the land as it wished. The Bolivian government has not invested in the area, as it would affect its geopolitical aspirations against Chile.

Bolivia Mar has been left largely untouched since the agreement was signed, and it remains inaccessible for tourists. The beach is in mar abierto (open sea) and is uncomfortable for bathers. There are no facilities, and the steep terrain makes access difficult. Developing the area for tourism would require an investment of a few hundred million dollars.

In 2022, then-Peruvian President Pedro Castillo suggested the possibility of granting Bolivia access to the sea through a popular consultation, which caused controversy in Peru, and he was accused of treason.

Bolivia's maritime claim: Bolivia has historically maintained a state policy of claiming sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean

Bolivia has long maintained a state policy of claiming sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean. The country observes a Day of the Sea every 23 March to commemorate its loss of sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean to Chile during the War of the Pacific (1879-1884).

In 1825, South American liberator Simon Bolivar claimed access to the sea for Bolivia when he established the country after freeing it from Spanish rule. In 1866 and 1874, Chile and Bolivia agreed on national borders that ratified Bolivia's sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean via two border treaties. However, Bolivia imposed a tax on the Antofagasta Nitrate & Railway Company (CSFA) in 1878, despite having agreed in the 1874 treaty that it would not levy taxes on Chilean people or companies for 25 years. Bolivia's seizure and auction of CSFA property prompted the Chilean invasion and occupation of the then-Bolivian port city of Antofagasta. The War of the Pacific ensued, resulting in Chile defeating the Peruvian and Bolivian armies and gaining control of territory rich in guano, sodium nitrate, copper, and lithium—commodities sought after by the world's central economies and former colonisers.

In 1904, Chile and Bolivia signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, in which Bolivia accepted the loss of 400km of coastline and 120,000 sq km of territory, becoming landlocked. This treaty is Chile's main defence against Bolivia's claim in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Bolivia, however, argues that it signed the treaty under duress and that Chile established 'rights of expectations' in later proposals, which included a land swap to return Bolivia's access to the sea.

In 1975, Chile and Bolivia entered negotiations under their respective dictatorships, with Chile proposing an exchange of territory that would provide Bolivia with a "corridor to the sea" and an adjacent maritime zone. However, these negotiations fell through. Bolivia continued to pursue its claim, and in 2013, it filed a lawsuit in the ICJ, requesting that the Court oblige Chile to enter negotiations over access to the Pacific Ocean. In 2015, the ICJ ruled that it would hear Bolivia's case, recognising that Bolivia gained its independence with a coast on the Pacific Ocean and that the 1904 treaty does not address Chile's obligation to negotiate sovereign access.

In 2018, the ICJ ruled that Chile was not obliged to negotiate granting Bolivia access to the sea. Despite this setback, Bolivian President Evo Morales stated that "Bolivia will never give up". Bolivia continues to maintain a small navy and celebrates the Day of the Sea annually.

Bolivia's landlocked status: Bolivia is one of two landlocked countries in South America

Bolivia is one of two landlocked countries in South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the west. Bolivia lost its coastline to Chile during the War of the Pacific (1879-1884).

Bolivia's landlocked status has had a significant impact on its economy and development. The country has had to rely on neighbouring countries for access to the sea, which has resulted in dependence on Chilean ports for importing and exporting goods. This has led to tensions with Chile, with Bolivia seeking a sovereign outlet to the Pacific Ocean. Bolivia has also had to invest in alternative means of transportation, such as improving road infrastructure and developing its aviation industry.

In addition, Bolivia's landlocked status has had social and cultural impacts. The country celebrates the 23rd of March as the "Day of the Sea" to commemorate the loss of its coastline. Additionally, the country has had to adapt to the geographic challenges posed by its landlocked status, such as developing infrastructure and transportation networks that navigate the diverse terrain, which includes the Andes Mountains, tropical rainforests, and the Chaco region.

Despite being landlocked, Bolivia has managed to develop its economy and exploit its natural resources. The country has the second-largest natural gas reserves in South America and is one of the world's largest producers of coca, the raw material for cocaine. Bolivia has also invested in alternative means of accessing the sea, such as the construction of a free port in Rosario, Argentina, and the development of a special economic zone in Ilo, Peru, known as "Bolivia Mar".

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