More than 140 years after losing its Pacific coastline to Chile and becoming a landlocked country, Bolivia is trying a new approach. Instead of focusing solely on reclaiming sovereign sea access, Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz is promoting a pragmatic economic plan: offering Chile access through Bolivian land corridors to connect Pacific ports with Brazil’s vast markets.
From Old Rivalry to Surprise Partnership
For generations, Bolivia’s loss of the coastline shaped its national identity and foreign policy. Diplomatic relations with Chile were suspended in 1978, and tensions spiked again between 2013 and 2018 when Bolivia took its sea claim to the International Court of Justice. The court rejected the claim, leaving the dispute unresolved.
Now, Bolivia’s government is shifting focus. Rather than framing the country as landlocked and disadvantaged, officials are emphasizing its strategic location. Bolivia’s highways and access to the
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