IS THERE AN "ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM"? AN ANALYSIS OF CONTEMPORARY RELATIONS BETWEEN BOLIVIA AND CHILE IN GEOPOLITICAL TERMS

Abstract

The article analyzes the historically tense relationship between Bolivia and Chile since the post-Pacific War. This war was a South American geopolitical conflict in the Atacama Desert region and generated serious consequences in their relationship. In such a way, this research aims to answer the following question: How do Bolivia and Chile manage the developments of the geopolitical question relegated by the Pacific War? considering the decision of the Court of The Hague, favorable to Chile, in 2018. As well as mapping the resumption of effective relations between the two countries in 2021, considering the still existing impasse without the Bolivian access to the sea. Thus, it ponders the Bolivian arguments with a view to negotiating the recovery of its exit to the sea; and those employed by Chile, with a view to preserving part of its territory. After decades of unfriendly relations between the countries, they decided to resume their official relations. Thus, despite such progress, the geopolitical issue remains unresolved and, due to its importance, it is noticeable that there is still an “elephant in the room” weighing on the relationship.