MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bolivia: not the moment to pressure Chile for ocean access

President Evo Morales celebrates with military commanders Sea Day

Bolivian President Evo Morales, along with the Bolivian Army and Navy, celebrated Sea Day this week, an annual holiday mourning Bolivia’s loss of ocean access to Chile following the Pacific War 131 years ago.

During the sombre festivities, Morales made it clear that he intends to continue pursuing the 13-point agenda established during the Bachelet government, which includes the issue of Bolivia’s access to the ocean.

While access to the ocean is still a top priority on his agenda, Morales made it clear that he will not pressure the new Chilean government until it has had a chance to deal with the recent earthquake that devastated the country.

“At the moment it is difficult to demand a bilateral meeting with the new president of Chile, when there is so much that needs to be done in the area of humanitarianism, the reconstruction of Chile and the aftershocks keep happening,” Morales said.

President Piñera made it clear that he wants to improve the relationship between Chile and Bolivia. The two nations have not had diplomatic relations since the Pacific War, but their various governments have been attempting to forge closer ties since 1978 and the relationship between Bachelet and Morales was quite open and strong.

The warming relationship notwithstanding, Bolivia recently adopted a new military slogan: “Motherland or Death: We Shall Overcome.”

According to Morales the slogan is almost entirely directed at Chile, expressing Bolivia’s desire to continue pursuing the 13-point agenda.

By Lindsay Fendt – Santiago Times