Bilateral conflicts in Latin America persist despite integration efforts.

AutorGaudin, Andres

Despite the proliferation of regional and global organizations designed to promote integration and good relations between countries, bilateral conflicts--territorial, political, economic, and environmental--persist in Latin America (NotiSur, March 8, 2013). In recent weeks, differences have re-emerged between Argentina and Uruguay and between Colombia and Nicaragua, reviving crises supposedly already resolved by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

Neither regional organizations nor the ICJ have proved efficient in resolving differences and achieving ongoing peaceful coexistence.

Chile maintains old disputes with Bolivia and Peru, challenging opinions issued in The Hague (NotiSur Jan 23, 2004, June 29, 2007, and April 8, 2011). Though it has not yet taken action, Argentina has announced that it will appeal an ICJ decision to force neighboring Uruguay to control alleged pollution form a pulp mill installed on the east bank of the Rio Uruguay (NotiSur, Aug. 13, 2010). Colombia and Nicaragua, vying for control of a vast area of the Caribbean, have also taken their dispute to The Hague. However, the Colombian government does not recognize the ICJ decision (NotiCen, Sept. 20, 2007, Dec. 13, 2012, and Oct. 10, 2013).

Interestingly, while people in all countries maintain disputes are resolved with increased cooperation, all these conflicts have re-emerged at a time of greater regional integration.

Bolivia, Peru dispute Chilean border

Bolivia revived a 150-year-old dispute with Chile in late September in verbal debate during the annual session of the UN General Assembly. The dispute dates back to the 1879-1883 War of the Pacific when Chile extended its border northward by annexing territory from Bolivia and Peru. Bolivia lost its Pacific coast and became a landlocked country without a port for trade. For more than a century, Bolivia has sought access to the coast from Chile. Faced with persistent refusal, it broke diplomatic relations with Chile in 1978 and the dispute has remained open in The Hague. (NotiSur June 10, 1992, Jan. 23, 2004, Nov. 18, 2005, and April 8, 2011)

While in New York--before and after delivering a speech to the world forum--Bolivian President Evo Morales challenged his Chilean counterpart President Sebastian Pinera for what he labeled "contradictions" in a recent speech. "On the one hand, Pinera tells us that treaties [referring to a disputed agreement signed by the parties in 1904] are untouchable, and, on...

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