Bolivia’s Maritime Rights and the Chilean Narrative: Dismantling Myths

Abstract

Th is article critically analyzes the maritime dispute between Bolivia and Chile, dismantling three recurring myths used to delegitimize Bolivia’s claim to sovereign access to the Pacifi c Ocean. Th rough a historical, documentary, and legal approach, it examines the evolution of the dispute from Bolivia’s independence in 1825 to the present. First, it demonstrates that Bolivia did have sovereign access to the sea, refuting the Chilean claim that it never had its own coastline. Second, it analyzes the 1904 Treaty, showing that it was imposed under unequal conditions and did not eliminate the possibility of a negotiated solution for sovereign access to the sea. Finally, it examines the 2018 ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), clarifying that it did not close the door to future diplomatic negotiations. Furthermore, the article underscores the need to reassess historical narratives based o n evidence and highlights the role of negotiation and international law in resolving territorial disputes.