Chile and Argentina face diplomatic tension over Magallanes Strait sovereignty

Diplomatic tensions between Chile and Argentina have escalated following comments by the Argentine Air Force Chief, Brigadier General Gustavo Javier Valverde, regarding sovereignty over the Magallanes Strait. The remarks prompted a formal protest from the Chilean Foreign Ministry.

A Cadem poll indicates that 40% of Chileans now view Argentina as an ‘enemy’ country, with 71% believing Argentina has territorial ambitions regarding the Strait. While Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Argentine President Javier Milei recently met to attempt to de-escalate the situation, the controversy has sparked domestic political debate in Chile.

In Chile, the opposition has moved to interpellate Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna over the handling of the dispute. Santiago Mayor Mario Desbordes defended the minister personally but criticized the Foreign Ministry’s institutional protocols for being too cautious. Meanwhile, former Chilean Ambassador to Argentina José Antonio Viera-Gallo characterized the dispute as ‘barra brava’ style rhetoric, suggesting the comments lack substance and do not represent a significant shift in Argentine foreign policy, though he warned of broader geopolitical changes in the region.