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Caribbean-Latin America
Peru and Chile in border dispute
2005-11-01
A bill under debate in the Peruvian Congress has increased diplomatic tensions with Chile. The parliament in Peru has sped up the passage of legislation aimed at redrawing the sea border between the two Latin American neighbours. If approved, the bill would assert Peruvian control over valuable fishing grounds.
Next step will be Peru seizing Chile's fishing boats. Then their naval forces will start making faces at each other. It'll only take one hot-blooded captain thinking his countries honor is at stake to set things off.
Chile argues that the legislation violates territorial treaties signed in the 1950s. It has launched a diplomatic campaign against the bill, saying that it wants an amicable solution to the dispute. The Peruvian legislation was passed by a second important committee and could get final approval as soon as Thursday.

Peru and Chile have a history of border disputes dating back to the 19th century. Chile fought the War of the Pacific against Peru and Bolivia from 1879 to 1883, winning Bolivia's outlet to the sea and extensive areas from Peru. In recent months, relations have deteriorated over allegations that Chile supplied arms to Ecuador during a 1995 war with Peru - claims that the Chilean government has denied. In May, Peru suspended free trade talks and confidence-building measures with Chile. Peru also refused to support Chile to lead the Organisation of American States.
Posted by:Steve

#1  Peru has always been big on border disputes.

It ate 1/2 of Ecuador to create the current boundary, as well as a tussle with Bolivia and this Chilean incident, and even nastiness with Columbia...

Only "Big Dog" Brazil seems to keep Peru's expansion fever at bay...
Posted by: BigEd   2005-11-01 11:58  

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