Chile to send more aid to Bolivia amid shortages from protests

Chile is preparing to send a new shipment of humanitarian aid to Bolivia to help alleviate the scarcity of essential products caused by widespread road blockades. Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna confirmed the decision Monday, stating the aid is expected to arrive in June.

"We are determined to continue cooperating. We are going to send new aid. We hope it will be in June," Pérez Mackenna told reporters. He emphasized ongoing dialogue with Bolivia, referring to the nation as "our brothers in Bolivia."

This planned shipment follows a previous delivery in late May, when Chile sent a Hercules aircraft from its Air Force carrying 480 boxes of food, enough to feed four people for four days. Chile, along with other regional nations, has expressed concern over the violence accompanying the crisis in Bolivia.

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We are determined to continue cooperating. We are going to send new aid. We hope it will be in June.

Thousands of unionists and farmers are demanding the resignation of Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, accusing him of marginalizing them from government decisions despite their support during the 2025 elections. President Paz recently signed a law regulating states of exception, which allows the Armed Forces to intervene in controlling protests and blockades.

Despite lacking full diplomatic relations since 1962 (with a brief exception from 1975-1978) due to Bolivia's unresolved maritime claim, Chile and Bolivia maintain consulates. Notably, Chilean President José Antonio Kast attended Paz's inauguration in March, and former Chilean President Gabriel Boric met with Paz in November, marking a significant encounter between leaders of the two countries.

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We are in permanent dialogue with our brothers in Bolivia.