Kast and Paz Sign Five Chile Bolivia Accords

BOLIVIA · DIPLOMACY

Kast and Paz signed trade, mining, fibre and energy texts in La Paz. No money amounts or deadlines have been announced.

Chile and Bolivia signed five Chile Bolivia accords in La Paz on Friday, 16 October. It was the first state visit by a Chilean president in 71 years.

Red Uno, a Bolivian channel, lists ACE 22 trade terms, a fibre-optic corridor, mining cooperation, an energy declaration and a joint declaration. The deals touch minerals, fuel logistics and subsea data routes in the Andes.

The Five Chile Bolivia Accords Signed in La Paz

Red Uno reports that Foreign Ministers Héctor Huanca of Bolivia and Francisco Pérez Mackenna of Chile signed terms to modernise ACE 22. That is Economic Complementation Agreement No. 22, the main pact governing bilateral trade.

The negotiation will run in two phases, according to Red Uno and El Deber, a Bolivian daily. Phase one widens tariff preferences and covers rules of origin and trade facilitation.

Phase two may add services, e-commerce, public procurement and labour and environmental issues, Red Uno reports. Both sides must still agree to it.

The fibre-optic accord promotes studies of a land corridor from Chile’s Arica y Parinacota region into Bolivia, Red Uno reports. It could give Bolivia access to Pacific subsea cables, including the Humboldt project.

Chile would gain a land route toward Atlantic networks, and Paraguay and Brazil could join later, per Red Uno. Studies will cover routes, permits, financing and cybersecurity.

The mining instrument covers geology, exploration, sharing of geoscientific data, investment, processing, recycling and mine closure, with a focus on critical minerals. Red Uno does not name its signatories.

The energy declaration, signed by both presidents according to Red Uno, restates the intent to keep evaluating an electrical interconnection. It aims to set a roadmap with stages, actions and deadlines.

The fifth instrument is a joint presidential declaration that summarises the day’s understandings, Red Uno reports. Its full text was not available to the Rio Times.

What Kast and Paz Said

Kast said, “Hoy dejamos de darnos la espalda,” meaning the two countries stop turning their backs on each other, Red Uno reports. He added that differences between the countries must not paralyse other work.

Kast said the goal is to move step by step toward full normalisation, Red Uno reports. He invited Paz to make a state visit to Chile in 2027, and FM Bolivia reports that Paz accepted.

Paz said Bolivia’s maritime claim remains a permanent objective under its Constitution, FM Bolivia reports. He also said Bolivia does not reject dialogue and that history should not hold back development.

Oil Pipeline, Security and Border Crossings

Kast said the project to reverse the Sica Sica to Arica oil pipeline is advancing, Red Uno reports. Reversal would send crude to Bolivian refineries, and FM Bolivia says Paz called it a cheaper route to diesel and jet fuel.

None of the outlets describes a separate signed pipeline contract. FM Bolivia reports that Paz presented it as a project already giving results.

On security, Kast called drug traffickers, human trafficking networks and smugglers enemies of both countries, per Red Uno. The governments agreed to deepen police coordination and intelligence sharing, and to pursue orderly and safe migration.

Kast also said the two governments will strengthen three border crossings, Chungará to Tambo Quemado, Visviri to Charaña and Pisiga to Colchane. They reaffirmed Bolivia’s free transit through Chilean territory and ports under existing treaties, Red Uno reports.

What It Means for US Readers

US investors in mining, fuel and telecoms should read the visit as a political opening, not a set of contracts. The mining and fibre instruments only create cooperation and study frameworks, and no investment amounts were announced.

A reversed pipeline and a linked power grid, if they happen, could change how Bolivia buys fuel and power. US travellers and exporters using Chilean ports to reach Bolivia should watch the border crossing and transit follow-ups.

What Is Not Known

This account rests on Red Uno, FM Bolivia and El Deber. The official joint declaration and a government release could not be opened.

Red Uno and FM Bolivia count five instruments, but El Deber names two and FM Bolivia lists border security as its fifth. Red Uno does not name the signatories of the fibre-optic and mining instruments.

It is not confirmed whether the security understandings form a separate signed document. It is also unknown when the ACE 22 talks start, when ambassadors might return, or how the sea-access dispute will be handled.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Chile and Bolivia sign on 16 October?

Red Uno lists five instruments: ACE 22 trade terms, a fibre-optic corridor, mining cooperation, an energy declaration and a joint presidential declaration. No money amounts were announced.

Is this the first Chilean state visit to Bolivia in decades?

Yes, outlets report it is the first state visit by a Chilean president to Bolivia in 71 years. The last was by Carlos Ibáñez del Campo in August 1955.

Will Chile and Bolivia restore ambassadors?

Kast said the aim is step by step toward full normalisation and relations at the highest diplomatic level. No date was given.

What happens to the Sica Sica to Arica oil pipeline?

Kast said the reversal project is advancing, and Paz called it a way to cut fuel costs. No separate signed contract was reported.

Does Bolivia drop its sea-access claim?

Paz said the claim stays. He said it is a permanent objective under the Constitution, but Bolivia does not reject dialogue.

Sources: Red Uno de Bolivia, 16 October 2026; Red Uno de Bolivia, Kast statements, 16 October 2026; FM Bolivia, 16 October 2026; El Deber, 16 October 2026; earlier Rio Times coverage: Bolivia Chile Talks Target Oil and Minerals (all accessed 16 October 2026).