The current energy situation in Chile and Bolivia could turn into an opportunity for both countries to resume the failed initiative «gas for sea» advanced by presidents Ricardo Lagos and Hugo Banzer a decade ago. The scenario has changed since then: with the decreasing demand for gas from Argentina and the contract for exporting gas to Brazil due to expire in a few years, Bolivia must seek new markets and a less costly route for its gas exports. Meanwhile, Chile is trapped in its energy dependency, an expensive substitute for its imports of Argentinean gas and two of the country's main future energy projects paralyzed. Chile needs cleaner and cheaper sources of energy. Both countries need to resolve a historical conflict that has maintained the triple border between Chile, Bolivia and Peru in permanent friction, instead of facilitating a tri-national productive pole and the energy integration of South America.
Keywords:
gas for sea, gas diplomacy, Bolivia access to sea, Chilean-Bolivian relations, gas exports
Author Biography
Pascale Bonnefoy, Universidad de Chile
Periodista, USACH. Egresada del Magister en relaciones internacionales, Instituto de Estudios Internacionales de la Universidad de Chile
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