Foreign Minister discusses possible future visit of Kast to Bolivia and stresses that we have very good consular relations

During his recent trip to Paraguay and Uruguay, Chile's President José Antonio Kast attended the 68th Summit of Heads of State of MERCOSUR, held in Asunción. The summit brought together leaders from member countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, along with associate members such as Bolivia. During this gathering, Kast engaged in bilateral meetings with several heads of state, among them the presidents of Brazil, Lula da Silva; Ecuador, Daniel Noboa; and Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz.

Following the meeting with his Bolivian counterpart, discussions arose regarding the possibility of a future visit by President Kast to Bolivia. This topic was raised by Ricardo Díaz, the governor of Antofagasta, who highlighted the potential for increased integration between Bolivia and Chile. He emphasized that Bolivia is seeking greater regional connectivity and has been working on improving its mining sector, which could benefit from collaboration with Chile’s industrial and educational centers in Antofagasta. Díaz noted that there is significant interest in integrating Bolivia into the bioceanic corridor, a project aimed at enhancing trade routes through South America.

The discussion also touched upon the strategic importance of connecting Bolivia to the bioceanic corridor via rail lines being developed in the region. This would enhance transportation links through Brazil and improve overall regional connectivity. According to Díaz, both Kast and Paz expressed strong mutual interest in strengthening their bilateral ties, particularly in areas related to trade and resource development. Specific attention was given to fostering closer economic relations with the province of Oruro, known for its substantial silver reserves.

To confirm these developments, Chile's Foreign Minister, Francisco Pérez Mackenna, addressed media inquiries about the potential visit. He confirmed that discussions had taken place regarding the possibility of President Kast visiting Bolivia soon. Although no specific date has been set yet, he indicated that efforts will be made to organize the visit promptly. Pérez Mackenna also emphasized that while Chile does not have formal diplomatic relations with Bolivia, they maintain good consular relations and have frequently interacted at the consular level. He personally mentioned having visited La Paz multiple times and described the relationship as consistently positive.

Regarding Bolivia's participation in the bioceanic corridor initiative, Pérez Mackenna explained that the project aims to create a network connecting South American nations to facilitate more extensive trade and tourism opportunities. He stressed the significance of including Bolivia within this framework due to its geographical position and potential contributions to regional commerce. The goal is to build a unified market in South America capable of overcoming external trade limitations faced by individual countries.

Bolivia has shown keen interest in reviving the bioceanic corridor project, which involves establishing commercial routes linking the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. This initiative seeks to enhance regional trade by creating efficient transport networks across South America. Discussions during the summit focused on how Bolivia can integrate into this infrastructure, leveraging its natural resources and strategic location. Both Chile and Brazil are seen as crucial partners in advancing this ambitious plan, aiming to strengthen economic ties and promote sustainable development throughout the continent.

The potential visit by President Kast to Bolivia represents a significant step towards deepening bilateral cooperation and addressing shared challenges. It underscores the growing emphasis on regional integration and collaborative efforts to boost economic growth. As negotiations continue, all parties remain committed to exploring new avenues for partnership and mutual benefit.