--- title: "Chilean President Visits Bolivia for the First Time in 70 Years: Mining and Energy Agreements Signed" description: "Chilean President José Antonio Kast made his first visit to Bolivia in 70 years on October 16, signing agreements on mining, energy, and security with Rodrigo Paz. The visit marks a step toward strengthening ties between the two countries, which have lacked diplomatic relations since 1978." date: 2026-10-17T09:32:11.240Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/chilean-president-visits-bolivia-70-years tags: [chile, bolivia, diplomacy, south-america, trade, mining, energy] author: "Andrey Kosynko" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Chilean President Visits Bolivia for the First Time in 70 Years: Mining and Energy Agreements Signed ![Chilean President José Antonio Kast smiles and waves during a historic visit to Bolivia.](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/17/prezident-chili-vizit-boliviya-70-let/prezident-chili-vizit-boliviya-70-let-1.webp) ## Key Points - Chilean President José Antonio Kast made his first official visit to Bolivia in over 70 years on October 16, 2026 - Cooperation agreements were signed in the mining industry, energy sector, and security - Chile and Bolivia have lacked diplomatic relations since 1978 due to a dispute over maritime access, but maintain consular offices and close economic ties - About 70% of Bolivia's foreign trade passes through Chilean ports - Bolivia offered Chile assistance in utilizing the Paraguay-Paraná waterway On October 16, 2026, Chilean President José Antonio Kast made a historic visit to La Paz—the first official visit by a Chilean leader to Bolivia in over 70 years. The welcoming ceremony took place at Murillo Square, where the head of the Chilean delegation was greeted by Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz. According to the VNA correspondent in South America, the trip marked a symbolic step toward normalizing relations between the two South American nations, which have lacked full diplomatic ties since 1978 due to a long-standing dispute over Bolivia's access to the Pacific Ocean. ### Signing of Agreements: Mining, Energy, and Security During the negotiations, the leaders of the two countries focused on practical measures to strengthen trade, economic, and military-strategic cooperation. A key outcome of the visit was the signing of cooperation agreements in the mining industry and energy sector—two fields that traditionally form the backbone of both economies. They also discussed coordinating the management of their 861-kilometer shared border, which, according to the Bolivian side, will enhance border control efficiency and reduce the risks of illegal migration and smuggling. ### Economic Dependence and New Routes Despite the absence of diplomatic relations, economic ties between Chile and Bolivia remain close: about 70% of Bolivia's foreign trade is conducted through Chilean ports in the north of the country. During the visit, the Bolivian side offered Chile assistance in making more active use of the Paraguay-Paraná waterway, which would open an alternative Atlantic route for Chilean exports and reduce reliance on Pacific logistics chains. Analysts view this proposal as a potential tool for diversifying trade flows for both nations. ### A "New Roadmap" for Good-Neighborliness Bolivian Minister of Presidential Affairs Fernando Aramayo stated that both sides are gradually building a new cooperation roadmap aimed at achieving mutually beneficial agreements. According to him, the current process lays the foundation for improving and developing peaceful, stable neighborly relations. Although the issue of maritime access for Bolivia remains unresolved and formally continues to block the restoration of full diplomatic relations, practical cooperation in trade, economy, and security allows the parties to move forward without waiting for a political settlement of the historical dispute, the Bolivian leadership declared. ### Context: 48 Years Without Embassies Relations between Chile and Bolivia have been severed since 1978, when La Paz announced the rupture of diplomatic ties due to Santiago's refusal to discuss transferring territory to provide Bolivia with access to the Pacific Ocean. Since then, the countries have maintained only consular representations, though trade and economic exchange have never stopped. Kast's visit on October 16, 2026, was the first time in over seven decades that a sitting Chilean president personally arrived in Bolivia, highlighting a shift in rhetoric in bilateral relations and the readiness of both capitals for pragmatic dialogue amid shared economic interests. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Президент Чили впервые за более чем семь десятилетий посетил Боливию.](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/tong-thong-chile-lan-dau-tien-tham-bolivia-sau-hon-7-thap-ky) - Primary source: VNA correspondent report in South America. Contains all key facts: date of visit (10/16/2026), participants (Kast, Paz), location (Murillo Square, La Paz), signed agreements, border length (861 km), share of trade through Chilean ports (~70%), Aramayo's statement. No discrepancies found with other sources — sole source. ## FAQ ### When and where did the Chilean president arrive? Chilean President José Antonio Kast arrived in La Paz, Bolivia, on October 16, 2026. This is the first official visit by a Chilean leader to Bolivia in over 70 years. ### What agreements were signed? During the visit, cooperation agreements were signed in the mining industry and energy sector. The coordination of the 861 km shared border was also discussed. ### Why do Chile and Bolivia lack diplomatic relations? The countries have not maintained diplomatic ties since 1978 due to a dispute over Bolivia's access to the Pacific Ocean. However, they retain consular offices and close economic relations. ### What share of Bolivian trade goes through Chilean ports? About 70% of Bolivia's foreign trade passes through Chilean ports in the north of the country.