Government Alberto Fernandez and from gabriel boric They crossed paths over a latent border conflict, which is far from being resolved, although the governments of the two countries have discussed it.

The Deputy Minister for Latin American Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gabriel Fuks delivered a note of protest (SUALA 35/2023) Last Thursday in the presence of the Chilean Ambassador in Buenos Aires, Bárbara Figueroa, against the new map of the Trans-Andean Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service, which marks the maritime space south of Tierra del Fuego as its own. But Argentina considers them an integral part of its continental shelf.

The Fuegian government led by Gustavo Melella had rejected Chile’s new presentation on Friday, and this Monday Fuegian senator and former Together for Change co-governor candidate Pablo Blanco echoed the same sentiment.

The conflict, which has occurred in Chile since 2009 and has not been resolved by any government in Chile, broke out on August 23, 2021 when the former president of Chile sebastian pinera announced in the Official Gazette of the country Decree 95 concerning Chilean maritime space.

And he said that his government would claim sovereignty over the area 5,000 square kilometers, known as the crescent south of Tierra del Fuego. Argentina put it on its own platform and stated that it is a maritime space sector that is part of the Common Heritage of Humanity in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Short relationship in the middle of a pandemic

Chili acted after several times political and health short-circuit with Fernández during the coronavirus pandemic. And after they rejected Argentina’s new map with its extended continental shelf made into law by Alberto Fernández in 2020.

Argentina’s map delimits the territory disputed with the United Kingdom in the Malvinas Islands, South Sandwich and South Georgia, plus the Antarctic region also disputed with Chile, as its own -although the tone of the demarcation is different from that of the other territories-, apart from Croissants.

When Piñera published his decision, which was sparked by outrage with Argentina over his map, not only was the Fernández government outraged against the trans-Andean government – they accused him of doing so. “broad call”– but in full quarantine, tensions reach the respective congresses that support their governments.

Piñera’s decision of August 23 fixed the Chilean platform at 200 nautical miles from the Diego Ramírez archipelago, south of Cape Horn.

In this case, by rejecting the current map of Chile, Senator Blanco said that “it overlaps 200 nautical miles above the border line considered to belong to Argentina” in accordance with the provisions of the Commission on the Outer Limits of the Continental Shelf of the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea of ​​​​​​the United Nations

“I must emphasize that it is the attribution of this Congress in accordance with article 75 of our National Constitution, to define the boundaries of the territory of Argentina, therefore, before this map is published by the Chilean government, it is very important to establish a position expressing opposition to this project. ,” he added.

Boric’s government insists on the claim

Now, after several internal setbacks, the Boric government is willing to pursue this continental shelf issue because, as Clarín learns, the Navy’s advancement with its maps is the first step of any other action.

In Chile, there are bills against the two Michelle Bachelet governments, against both Piñera governments, and against the country’s Navy for not activating the alarm when in 2009 Argentina advanced in presenting its new maps to the Limitation Commission. Continental Platform (CLPC), demarcating the boundaries of the Argentine continental platform in accordance with the norms of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1984 Treaty of Peace and Friendship.

The essence of the protests that Fuks is now conveying – Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero is on an official trip to Japan and South Korea – is due to the decision of the National Directorate of Borders and Boundaries (DIFROL) on August 14, that authorizing the circulation of the “Chilean Jurisdiction Maritime Space Illustrative Chart”, document prepared by the Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOA).

“This registration represents the Territorial Sea, the Contiguous Zone, the Exclusive Economic Zone, the Continental Shelf and the Outer Limits of the Continental Shelf, which makes it possible to see in one product all areas of maritime jurisdiction for academic, technical and/or legal fields, so that the national territory and projected related can be known in its entirety,” said the Trans-Andean Navy, which, as seen in the illustration here, covers territory disputed with Argentina.

Now, although to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the Naval charts/maps of neighboring countries “do not refer to a new issue”, this is a matter of controversy which “Chile’s claims have been repeatedly rejected by Argentina, both bilaterally and multilaterally. through diplomatic correspondence addressed to the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority“. The Argentinian note refers to a statement dated August 28, 2021.

Starting in 2009, Argentina can request an extension of its continental shelf to a demonstrable 350 miles. The continental platform comprises the bed and subsoil of the underwater areas that extend beyond its territorial sea and throughout the natural extension of its territory. It contains sovereign rights and hence the exploration and exploitation of its natural resources.

Argentina and Chile still have other border disputes such as the case of the Continental Ice and the Antarctic region which overlaps with the UK.

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