Gabriel Gaspar i putovanje predsjednika u La Paz: To je dobar korak u vrlo dobrom smjeru.

Chile's President José Antonio Kast will make his first official visit to Bolivia in over 70 years this Friday, marking a historic moment in bilateral relations. The trip comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts between the two countries, which have had strained ties since the early 20th century. Jorge Canelas, former Chilean consul general in La Paz, described the visit as an unprecedented opportunity to reshape the course of their relationship over the past five to six decades. The visit follows a long hiatus in high-level political exchanges between Chile and Bolivia. Since President Carlos Ibáñez del Campo’s visit in 1955, no Chilean head of state has traveled to Bolivia officially. Relations were further complicated by historical disputes, including Bolivia’s longstanding claim to access the Pacific Ocean, which was formally rejected by Chile in 1978. Diplomatic ties were severed twice, once in 1962 and again in 1978, leaving only consular relations intact since 1978. Kast’s visit aims to address these issues and build upon recent progress in bilateral cooperation. Topics such as joint anti-drug trafficking efforts and trade development are expected to dominate discussions with Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz during their meeting in La Paz. According to Gabriel Gaspar, a former Chilean ambassador to the Hague regarding Bolivia’s maritime claim, the visit represents a positive step forward, though not necessarily the starting point of a new era. He noted that mutual understanding has been growing since the time of President Jeanine Añez in Bolivia and President Sebastián Piñera II in Chile, with continued dialogue under subsequent governments. The timing of the visit coincides with some internal challenges in Bolivia. Evo Morales, who previously held significant influence, postponed a planned protest scheduled for the day of Kast’s arrival. Additionally, the visit was shortened from three days to one, possibly due to security concerns linked to tensions surrounding the seizure of wood shipments allegedly containing traces of prohibited substances. Canelas suggested that these factors influenced the decision to keep the visit brief and manageable. The potential restoration of formal diplomatic relations remains a topic of discussion. While Bolivia initiated the break in ties, Chile has expressed willingness to engage in formal negotiations. However, the initiative ultimately lies with Bolivia. As Gaspar emphasized, the focus should remain on advancing practical cooperation rather than ideological differences. The significance of the visit extends beyond symbolic gestures. Experts argue that strengthening ties with neighboring countries is crucial for both economic and strategic reasons. Eric Latorre, a director at the University of Chile, highlighted the importance of addressing shared challenges such as organized crime and improving cross-border coordination. He stressed that pragmatic openness does not mean abandoning historical positions but rather focusing on areas of common interest. President Kast’s approach to foreign policy has been characterized by personal diplomacy, emphasizing direct engagement with other heads of state. Demetrio Infante Figueroa, a participant in historical negotiations over Bolivia’s maritime access, urged Kast to adopt a firm stance on restoring formal diplomatic relations and considering any proposals from Bolivia that have broad domestic support. The visit underscores the evolving dynamics in regional diplomacy, reflecting broader shifts in how smaller nations navigate international relations. It also highlights the ongoing relevance of historical lessons in shaping contemporary policies, as seen in the legacy of figures like Gabriel Valdés, whose tenure as Chile’s foreign minister during the Cold War demonstrated the country’s capacity to assert its autonomy while engaging with global powers.