Kast Plans Bolivia Visit With 11-Point Agenda and Agreements

Chile President Jose Antonio Kast will travel to Bolivia on October 16 for an official visit to La Paz, where he and President Rodrigo Paz will address an 11-point agenda and sign agreements aimed at cooperation, trade, security and bilateral dialogue. According to Bolivia's Ministry of the Presidency, the meeting will take place at Casa Grande del Pueblo and includes discussions on bioceanic integration, economic and commercial links, and issues affecting bilateral ties. Fernando Aramayo, Bolivia's Minister of the Presidency, said the visit marks the first arrival of a Chilean head of state to Bolivian territory in more than 70 years as both governments seek renewed engagement.

"After more than 70 years, we have the presence of a Chilean head of state in Bolivian territory, it crowns the beginning of a process that has been resumed since the first days of President Rodrigo Paz's administration," said Fernando Aramayo, Minister of the Presidency.

Aramayo said Bolivia will maintain its historical maritime claim while also pursuing economic priorities linked to commerce, employment and regional integration. "It is clear that we will not give up our historic maritime claim, but it is also clear that we have to address an economic and commercial agenda that is fundamental for Bolivia to reintegrate into the country's economic dynamics and ultimately translate this into an aspiration that all Bolivians have, employment," said Fernando Aramayo, Minister of the Presidency.

The Bolivian official added that the governments have been preparing the agenda before the presidential meeting, with agreements expected during Kast's delegation visit. "The 11 points of the agenda that we have already been working on for some time, we will sign a set of agreements, naturally aspects such as bioceanic integration and economic-commercial matters are fundamental," said Fernando Aramayo, Minister of the Presidency.

The agenda also includes concerns over Bolivian wood shipments held in Chilean ports during investigations related to seized cargo, according to Bolivia's government. "Which in recent times generated issues that make the Bolivian State uncomfortable, such as actions regarding the issue of wood," said Fernando Aramayo, Minister of the Presidency. Chile and Bolivia's foreign ministers, Francisco Perez Mackenna and Hector Huanca Gutierrez, held preparatory talks before the visit and discussed cooperation on security and trade flows.

"The issues that will be discussed are broad and naturally it will be very important to accompany this visit because of the historical significance it represents, but above all because of the commercial, economic and economic complementarity ties we have with Chile," said Fernando Aramayo, Minister of the Presidency.

The foreign ministers also agreed to strengthen cooperation against drug trafficking and organized crime, including information exchange and coordination between institutions while protecting legitimate commerce. "It constitutes a clear signal of the interest of both governments in deepening dialogue, strengthening trust and advancing a cooperation agenda oriented toward prosperity, security and the well-being of their citizens," said the Chilean and Bolivian foreign ministries. Chile and Bolivia currently maintain consular relations rather than full diplomatic relations, with the countries continuing dialogue on economic cooperation and the historical maritime dispute.

The governments also agreed to convene the Chile-Bolivia Free Transit Working Group within 30 days to address issues affecting Bolivian exports through Chilean territory and ports.