Chile to Protest Argentina Over Strait of Magellan Sovereignty Remarks

Chile announced it will send a formal protest to Argentina following statements made by the Argentine Air Force Chief of Staff, Gustavo Javier Valverde, concerning sovereignty over the Strait of Magellan. The Chilean Foreign Ministry reiterated that Chile's sovereignty over the entire strait is indisputable, citing treaties from 1881 and 1984 signed by both nations. Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna emphasized that there is nothing to discuss regarding the strait's sovereignty and called for responsible declarations from other countries. The statements by Valverde, made during a YouTube interview and reported by the press, asserted the importance of the strait as a bioceanic gateway and linked it to national sovereignty. This has sparked controversy in Chile, with parliamentarians criticizing the remarks and urging the government to take action. Interior Minister Claudio Alvarado also expressed his disapproval, stating that the issue of sovereignty over the Strait of Magellan is settled and should not be raised periodically. The Strait of Magellan is entirely under Chilean sovereignty according to the 1881 Boundary Treaty and the 1984 Peace and Friendship Treaty, which aimed to resolve bilateral disputes after the 1978 crisis.

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En el Estrecho de Magallanes es indiscutiblemente chileno.