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Colombia tells Bolivia it deserves to have access to the Pacific Ocean

Tuesday, March 20th 2012 - 00:24 UTC
Full article 28 comments

Colombia has consistently supported Bolivia in its mission to reclaim a passage to the Pacific Ocean and the country reiterated its support last week during a meeting between the two heads of state in Bogotá. Read full article

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  • ljordao

    Heavens! It is open season for nonsensical territorial claims.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 12:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • rebeldenacion

    This is how Cristina Kirchner and her cronies get into power:
    www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyPC0SD0PGw

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 12:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Ernie4001

    1@Yes you are right seems that is the open season for everybody that want to have a part of another´s land.
    In this case is a smoke screen to cover all the problems of this poor and ignorant country. It´s crazy but in South america always there are fools that lend ears for whatever you want.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 01:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Frank

    Whetever next.... ' Spain tells Germany it deserves to have access to the Mediterranean Sea..... France and Italy told to be “practical and proactive” so that a quick solution to this maritime claim can be found..........'

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 03:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GreekYoghurt

    “Colombia tells Canada that it 'deserves' access to the Gulf of Mexico.”

    What the hell does 'deserves' mean to these savages?

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 07:03 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Idlehands

    2 rebeldenacion

    Everyone - especially Argentines - should watch this news video linked by rebeldenacion.

    It's aljazera so can hardly be labelled a British stooge.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 07:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GreekYoghurt

    I watched it. It made a lot of sense.

    I don't think anyone is under the illusion that Argentina is a democracy. That would be a foolish belief, outlined by well groomed process they have for buying votes.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 07:51 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • The Cestrian

    Here we go. looks like the Argentines have started this all off again. It looks that together with the trade wars that SA is on a path that will all end in disaster for it.

    why shouldnt Bolivia have a go at this. It has watched the RG's do this with impunity and reckons that now is the time for it to have a go as well.

    Bad news for the continent.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 08:58 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ManRod

    indeed, this is quite bizarre... what the heck does Colombia interfere here?
    It never digged it's nose in such things, but maybe we are seeing a new alliance born... the NARCOSUR ?

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 09:19 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GreekYoghurt

    If you want my honest opinion, I think the Colombians have been snorting too much of their own marching powder.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 09:53 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Idlehands

    The history of this debacle:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_the_Pacific

    Historically part of Bolivia, geographically part of Chile (the Andes are a natural barrier) Nobody comes out of it smelling of roses - a typical 19th century war over resources.

    I'd only comment that the Bolivian claim is stronger than the Argentine claim to the Falklands - but in the grand scheme of things nobody else will care either way.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 10:10 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • lsolde

    We want part of Patagonia. Why not?, we were there before the Argentines.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 10:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GreekYoghurt

    @12 Sure, why don't Argentina offer up Patagonia in the negotiations for the Falklands? It would be something to bring to the table, rather than the nothing that they currently bring.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 10:30 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Sergio Vega

    Who gives others countries the right to be involved in bilateral differences about their territories???
    Why Chile must support one or other side in the Falklands/Malvinas dispute or
    why the Mercosur/Unasur and others ....sur organizations have to give an opinion if the problem is between two countries ???
    Better if their politicians and Gvt. officers spend their time and effort to solve their own problems of poverty, safety and development than waste time and effort in support other´s claims the most without real basis....
    Probably, if any other third part be involved supporting one or other side the present LATAM conflicts (including the South Atlantic islands) would be solved long time ago....
    And, in the Northen Chile case, what is lost in a war is lost forever except the looser can win a new war in the future.....very difficult possibility for the Boolies....Thought they must think how get something to eat before .........
    As usual, when the internal situation of Latam countries is weak their Gvts. start with external claims to hide them behind a smoke courtain......that´s the case of Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia and Argentina....
    For us, as a Chilean citizien, the best is no participate in those stupids party clubs ended in “sur” where the bad politicians (whom have the gift of the easy word) felt in their birthday party......and waste a lot of time and money talking about things that they never will help to be solved.....by the contrary, they just are adding fuel to the fire with their speeches looking to be noted to get a position in one of those “sur” organizations after their elected terms conclude....

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 12:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • The Cestrian

    looks like bolivia has pretty much the same issues as Argentina. another loose cannon in charge:

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-wagner/bolivia-government-bonds_b_1364308.html

    Strange continent that simply cant look past its past and always reverts to type.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 12:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GreekYoghurt

    @14 Sergio. although I appreciate the sentiment, it's not as if your country has been vocal in support of the people's of the Falklands. And yet you want support for the Bolivian demands for your country?? Treat unto others as you in turn expect to be treated, is a telling phrase.

    @15“This time around, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs will be leading the bond issuance, designed to promote investment in natural resource production, manufacturing, and the generation of electricity. The government of Bolivia hopes that issuing this bond will erase investors' collective memory and change the prevailing view that the government routinely expropriates foreign investments in the natural resource sector. ”

    “promote investment in natural resource production, manufacturing, and the generation of electricity” like, they seriously think the money is going to be spent on that? seriously? Rather than just squirreled away in some numbered Swiss bank account.

    So... who precisely is going to buy this bond? pray tell.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 01:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    16 GreekYoghurt

    just out of interest, what would argentina and chile say,[do you think] if britain offered its full support.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 01:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GreekYoghurt

    We're unlikely to support Bolivia, as Chile is a lot closer ideologically to ourselves. Bolivia is yet another Spanish speaking third-world country racked with poverty and corruption, that would rather the poor thought about something else, some unifying national cause about where they felt hard done to.

    Chile in itself isn't a bad place, they just have to take the gamble that the british are more concerned by actions, rather than words.

    Argentina would probably put up more trade sanctions and call them sepoys.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 01:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • The Cestrian

    The current bolivian regime looks all but fucked. China and the US now competing to take it over as no doubt the Yanks do not wants the communists in its own backyard:

    http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iPDalLd85KwSVp8VTWQiyKOR6mKQ?docId=CNG.24ab75128c6e39725df9792dd84d5724.3b1

    Looks like the Yanks are destabalising the country.

    http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iPDalLd85KwSVp8VTWQiyKOR6mKQ?docId=CNG.24ab75128c6e39725df9792dd84d5724.3b1

    It really is transparent all this south americans sticking together. They all have internal problems and are trying to put in a unifying front. Using the Uk as a scapegoat with the FI issue is a convenient one for them.

    It looks like a continent on the edge, brought about due to corruption and the constant pitiful state of the average citizen.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 03:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GreekYoghurt

    @19 I'm not sure they have the ability to run a country in such a way as it isn't completely corrupt. It seems to be linked to their language of choice, and possibly the culture from which they were spawned.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 03:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    interesting, thanks.

    well something has to give,
    as long as we dont get the blame lol.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 04:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Stefan

    An extremely weak, pathetic attempt to appease someone who isn't worth squat on the world stage anyway. Leaf-chewing fatass, Evo Morales. I can't wait for Fido Dido to lecture about “South American Solidarity” haha.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 08:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Frank

    @19 'The current bolivian regime looks all but fucked. China and the US now competing to take it '
    My money is on China.... they prefer and are quite good at working over corrupt tin pot countries... Sudan, Angola, Argentina......

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 10:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • lsolde

    The Bolivians lost a war with Chile.
    To the victors go the spoils.
    Now they're crying about it.
    Where have l heard this before?
    Oh yes, the Falklands.
    Argentina lost a war against us.
    Now they're crying about it.
    And they started it! The cheek.
    l don't know who started the Chile-Bolivia-Peru war.
    Chile won.
    l support Chile. Quite simple, really.

    Mar 20th, 2012 - 10:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • shb

    @Isolde - The War of the Pacific is one of those conflicts with complex beginnings. I can recommend a really good book on it “Andean Tragedy - fighting the War of the Pacific, 1879-1884” by William F Sater. In a nutshell it started a bit like the the US takeover of texas - with chilean settlers/workers complaining about treatment in Peru. The war was fought for nitrate mining rights. Chile domininated the land actions and comprehensively defeated the Peruvian-Bolivian alliance. The naval actions are quite interesting - both sides used primitive wire guided “ley torpedoes”.

    I think we could use this as a stick to beat Chile with - and gently remind them that setting a precedent for territorial takeovers or negotiation in the Falklands would open up more justified claims like Bolivia wanting back it's coastal provinces (lost in the war) and Peru claiming back the city of Arica and its surrounding area (also lost). If they back Argentina, we back Bolivia and Peru. If Chile remains friendly, or even better, backtracks on any support for Argentina, we give them our full support

    I hope the Argentine bloogers realise that once a precedent is set for putting pressure on people to give up land -AND IT IS SEEN TO WORK, the genie is out of the bottle and everyone with a grievance will want to have a go. I hope Paraguay wants it's land back taken from it after the War of the Tripple Alliance......

    Mar 21st, 2012 - 07:07 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • lsolde

    @25shb,
    l've posted many times that Argentina should give Paraguay its land back.
    Most RGs just ignore it, but l had one hypocrite answer that because they “won” it from Paraguay, then its theirs & they are going to keep it!
    One law for the RGs & one law for everyone else.
    l'll get that book, thanks shb.

    Mar 21st, 2012 - 10:43 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ManRod

    eventhough the “malvinas claim” vs the “bolivian claim” are not comparable, due to the reason that 25 years after ceasefire of the Chile-Peru-Bolivia a war a treaty was signed between Chile and Bolivia about the current borders (and independently that Chile owned that territory even before Bolivia was born as a nation), as a chilean I'd welcome the “menace” of UK to “support” to Bolivia in this claim, just to make clear that I totally dissaprove the incongruent position Piñera has taken. That would open his eyes. Most Chileans do feel much more empathy for the Islanders than the bully actions of our neighbour and do not understand, why Piñera suddenly has such an “altruist” position towards Argentina, while Argentina keeps slapping him the face with restrictions to LAN, restriction to Chilean Imports and the newest one which was opened during Cristinas visit in Chile: The Oil exploration issue of Chilean ENAP share in Chubut, whereas Argentina retired the concession to the Chilean 50% share, after last one had invested 47 million USD.

    Mar 22nd, 2012 - 10:00 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Stefan

    @27 - Have you ever considered running for president in Chile?

    Mar 22nd, 2012 - 08:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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