From Charango to Sea Controversy · Global Voices
Rosario Lizana

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Chile and Bolivia have different controversies issues. Last week it was the origin of Charango, a musical instrument that can be found through Central and South America. Bolivian president Evo Morales give it as a present to Condolleza Rice, while ex-president Lagos give it as a present to rock star Bono. See Eduardo Ávila's post for more about the issue.
Access to the sea has been an unresolved issue for the two countries since 1863. The War of the Pacific in 1879 left Bolivia without coastal land or access. On the other hand, Bolivia has occupied that Chilean territory before. The causes of this war are explained in detail on the website “Guerra del Pacifico” (ES).
What do Chilean blogers think about it?
The newspaper “La Tercera”(ES) made a survey,  which shows that 66 % of Chileans do not agree with the idea of giving coastal land to Bolivia. Hablemos de Algo (ES) posts an analysis of the survey and also declares that “we have to fight to defend our territory.” Regiones sin Fronteras (ES) posts that “ Evo forgets that in the world there are more than 30 countries without sea access and they don't require it to be successful.” Los Cuatro Puntos Cardinales son tres: el Norte y el Sur (ES)  looks at alternatives and decides that “the best way to solve the problem, is by making an agreement that could allow Bolivians to use Chileans ports, with low cost and special rates, or have Bolivian enterprises operate Chilean ports without taxes.” Panorama Político (ES) emphasizes that the solution “is a manifestation of goodwill between Chile and Bolivia.” He also says that “Chile should offer Bolivia sovereign coastal land. Bolivia could offer economic integration, gas, and other compensations”