Now that right-leaning President Carlos Mesa has been forced from office, Chile's socialist left, Bachelet, considered a virtual lock to win the presidency in December, would entertain talks with neighboring Bolivia about giving the country access to the sea.
Bolivia has South America's largest gas reserves after Venezuela. It is possible that if sea access is made available Bolivia could ship LNG or oil to China. This is one of the biggest sore spots between Bush and Chavez in Venezuela who is proposed to use a Colombian port to ship Venezuelan oil to China.
Oil port on Colombia’s Pacific for Venezuela’s Asian exports
Another important development discussed between the two presidents is the construction of a future oil port on Colombia’s pacific coast to access Asian markets for the export of Venezuelan oil. #msg-3583684
The Panama Canal cannot handle the bigger tankers.
-Am
Chile: Candidate favors Bolivia talks By UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL Published June 27, 2005
SANTIAGO, Chile -- Chilean presidential hopeful Michelle Bachelet would entertain talks with neighboring Bolivia about giving the country access to the sea, supporters said.
Hailing from Chile's socialist left, Bachelet is considered a virtual lock to win the presidency in December.
Socialist party members said Monday they would enter into talks with Bolivia if she wins, La Presna Latina reported.
Many Bolivians in the impoverished landlocked country still despise Chile for taking its coast during the War of the Pacific in 1879. Since then, Bolivia has not had formal diplomatic relations with its neighbor.
Chile has long contended the matter is closed, though it has offered to grant Bolivia full access to the sea.
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