Chile and Bolivia sign historic cooperation agreements during Kast's visit

Chile-Bolivia relations José Antonio Kast Rodrigo Paz Bioceanic Fiber Optic Corridor diplomatic summit

Chilean President José Antonio Kast conducted a historic official visit to La Paz, Bolivia, marking the first such visit by a Chilean head of state in 71 years. During the summit, President Kast and Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz signed five bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening economic, commercial, and security ties.

Key agreements include a memorandum of understanding for the Chile-Bolivia Bioceanic Fiber Optic Corridor, intended to link Pacific and Atlantic submarine cable networks. Other pacts focus on mining cooperation, energy integration, and a joint alliance to combat organized crime along their shared border. Additionally, discussions were held regarding the potential reactivation of the Avaroa-Ollagüe railway crossing to boost mineral transport to Chilean ports.

While the meeting signaled a new era of cooperation and a desire to “stop turning their backs” on one another, long-standing diplomatic tensions remain. Formal relations at the ambassadorial level have been interrupted since 1978, and the historical dispute regarding Bolivia’s access to the Pacific Ocean continues to be a significant factor in the bilateral relationship.

Entities

Bolivia · Chile · José Antonio Kast · La Paz · Rodrigo Paz

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] There is a proposal to reactivate the Avaroa-Ollagüe railway crossing. lavozdetarija.com
[● 4 SOURCES] This was the first official visit by a Chilean president to Bolivia in 71 years. elpaisdominicano.do · www.europesays.com · www.eldia.com · www.notiulti.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The two leaders signed five bilateral agreements. elpaisdominicano.do · www.europesays.com · www.notiulti.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The agreements cover mining, energy, and trade. elpaisdominicano.do · www.notiulti.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] One agreement involves a memorandum of understanding for the Chile-Bolivia Bioceanic Fiber Optic Corridor. www.europesays.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Diplomatic relations at the ambassador level have been interrupted since 1978. elpaisdominicano.do · www.notiulti.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Chilean President José Antonio Kast and Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz met in La Paz on October 16, 2026. www.europesays.com · www.notiulti.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The leaders agreed to cooperate on fighting organized crime. elpaisdominicano.do