Bolivia's Landlocked Geography: A Historical Overview

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America. It lost its coastline to Chile during the War of the Pacific (1879-1884) and has been landlocked since. Bolivia still has a navy and celebrates the Day of the Sea annually. The country has tried to regain access to the sea through negotiations and lawsuits at the International Court of Justice, but these attempts have been unsuccessful. Bolivia and Chile have not had full diplomatic relations since 1978 due to this dispute.

Bolivia lost its coastline to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1884)

Bolivia lost its coastline to Chile during the War of the Pacific (1879-1884), also known as La Guerra del Pacífico, becoming a landlocked country. The war was fought between Chile and an alliance of Bolivia and Peru over mineral rights in some of the world's most inhospitable land—the Atacama Desert.

In 1879, Bolivia increased taxes on the exportation of saltpetre, in violation of a treaty signed between the two countries in 1866. When Chilean-owned saltpetre companies refused to pay the higher taxes, Bolivia expropriated the companies and sold them at a public auction. Bolivia also ended all commerce with Chile and exiled Chilean residents. In response, Chile declared the border treaties null and void, and reactivated an old claim that it shared a land border with Peru. Chile then sent troops to the Bolivian port of Antofagasta, and declared war on Bolivia and Peru.

Chile defeated both countries and annexed the coast claimed by Bolivia. This was ratified by Bolivia in a Treaty of Peace and Friendship signed in 1904. Bolivia has tried to regain access to the sea ever since, and the issue remains an emotive one for Bolivians. In 2013, Bolivia took its case to the International Court of Justice, but the court ruled that Chile was not obliged to negotiate granting Bolivia access to the sea.

The two countries have had strained relations since

Bolivia and Chile have had strained relations since the War of the Pacific, which took place between 1879 and 1884. Bolivia lost 120,000 sq km of land and access to the sea during this conflict, becoming a landlocked country. The two countries signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1904, formalising Bolivia's loss of 400km of coastline to Chile.

Despite this treaty, Bolivia has never given up on its dream of regaining access to the ocean. The country still maintains a navy and celebrates the Day of the Sea annually, where politicians give speeches and people listen to recordings of seagulls. Bolivia's desire for a coastline is so strong that it is part of the national identity and is taught in schools.

Bolivia has attempted to pressure Chile into returning the territory, but to no avail. The issue has continued to strain diplomatic relations, with the countries only maintaining consular ties since 1978. Bolivia severed diplomatic relations with Chile in that year when territorial negotiations failed.

In 2013, Bolivia took its case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, arguing that Chile was obliged to negotiate sovereign access to the sea for Bolivia. However, the ICJ ruled against Bolivia in 2018, stating that Chile was not required to enter negotiations. This ruling was final and binding, but Bolivian President Evo Morales stated, "Bolivia will never give up."

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

Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America. It lost its coastline to Chile during the War of the Pacific (1879-1884) and has been landlocked since the Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1904. Despite this, Bolivia has not reconciled itself to the loss of its coast and maintains a naval force.

The Bolivian Navy, or Armada Boliviana, is a branch of the country's armed forces. Established in 1963, it has approximately 5,000 personnel and operates on Lake Titicaca and the Amazon River, where it is used to combat drug trafficking. Bolivia also has a naval presence on the smaller Lake Kivu.

Every year on March 23, Bolivia celebrates the Day of the Sea (Día del Mar), which commemorates the country's loss of its coastline and reasserts its claim to sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean. The day is marked by solemn ceremonies and parades by the Bolivian Navy, and flowers are laid at the statue of Eduardo Abaroa, a national hero who was killed in the Battle of Topáter—the first battle of the War of the Pacific.

The existence of the Bolivian Navy and the annual celebration of the Day of the Sea demonstrate the country's continued hope of regaining its coastline and the importance of this goal in the national consciousness.

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

Bolivia has been landlocked since the War of the Pacific, which lasted from 1879 to 1884 and resulted in Bolivia losing 120,000 sq km of land. The war was fought between Chile, Bolivia, and Peru, and ended in Bolivia losing its territory adjacent to the Pacific coast.

In 1904, a peace treaty was signed between Bolivia and Chile, which delimited the boundary between the two countries and stated that the territory occupied by Chile now belonged to them "in perpetuity". Despite this, Bolivia has continued to pursue access to the Pacific Ocean, and in 2013, Bolivia initiated proceedings against Chile at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, claiming that Chile had undertaken an obligation to negotiate sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean for Bolivia.

On October 1, 2018, the ICJ ruled entirely in favour of Chile, stating that Chile was not obliged to negotiate granting Bolivia access to the sea. The ruling was final and binding, and marked the end of a high-profile dispute that had its origins in the 1880s.

The ICJ's decision was met with contrasting reactions in the two countries. Chilean President Sebastián Piñera welcomed the ruling, stating that "Chile has no obligation to negotiate", while Bolivian President Evo Morales said that "Bolivia will never give up".

Bolivia's pursuit of sea access is linked to President Evo Morales' popularity

Bolivia's pursuit of sea access is linked to President Evo Morales's popularity, which has been bolstered by his nationalistic bid for sea access. Morales has been in power since 2006, and his popularity has been maintained by his socialist policies, which have included the nationalization of the hydrocarbon industry, the improvement of infrastructure, and the reduction of poverty.

Morales has been widely regarded as the country's first president to come from its indigenous population, and his administration has worked towards the implementation of left-wing policies, focusing on the legal protections and socioeconomic conditions of Bolivia's previously marginalized indigenous population. Morales has also been praised for his anti-imperialist stance, which included reducing the United States' influence in the country and building relationships with leftist governments in the Latin American pink tide.

However, Morales' pursuit of sea access has been a significant aspect of his popularity. Bolivia lost its coastline in 1879 during the War of the Pacific with Chile and has been landlocked ever since. Every year on March 23, El Dia del Mar (The Day of the Sea) is an occasion for the media, schools, and public institutions to commemorate the loss of the coastline and to revive the collective desire for its return. This desire for sea access is embedded in the collective memory of Bolivians and has been a central pillar of nation-building.

Morales has attempted to regain sea access for Bolivia through negotiations with Chile and by taking the territorial dispute to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. However, the ICJ ruled against Bolivia, stating that Chile was not obliged to negotiate granting Bolivia access to the sea. Despite this setback, Morales has continued to fight for sea access, and his pursuit of this issue has remained linked to his popularity.

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