Chile and Argentina clash over Magallanes Strait sovereignty

A diplomatic dispute has emerged between Chile and Argentina following controversial statements by the Chief of Staff of the Argentine Air Force, Brigadier General Gustavo Javier Valverde. Valverde suggested that the Magallanes Strait and the Drake Passage are under Argentine sovereignty and emphasized the need for increased Argentine presence in the region.

The Chilean government, led by President José Antonio Kast, issued a formal protest, asserting that the strait belongs entirely to Chile in accordance with the 1881 Boundary Treaty and the 1984 Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Chilean lawmakers have criticized the government's response as insufficient, calling for a firmer stance against what they describe as systematic provocations.

In response to the tension, Argentine Defense Minister Carlos Alberto Presti contacted his Chilean counterpart, Fernando Barros, to clarify the situation. Presti characterized Valverde’s remarks as a result of “confusion and sloppiness,” affirming that the Argentine government respects existing treaties and recognizes Chilean sovereignty over the strait.

Local authorities in the border cities of Río Gallegos, Argentina, and Punta Arenas, Chile, issued a joint statement emphasizing the importance of regional integration and brotherhood. They urged that sovereignty issues be handled through diplomatic channels to avoid reopening historical wounds or damaging the close social and commercial ties between the two communities.