Bolivia, Paraguay finalise border after 88 years of talks

Bolivia and Paraguay officially delineated their shared border on Wednesday after 88 years of negotiations, concluding a process that began following a territorial war that raged between 1932 and 1935. The conflict, which spanned the arid Chaco Boreal region, resulted in around 80,000 to 100,000 fatalities and saw Bolivia cede an area equivalent to more than half of Paraguay's current territory.

The peace and boundary treaty signed in 1938 initiated the lengthy demarcation process, which spanned two decades. This week, delegates from the Bolivian-Paraguayan boundary demarcation commission, comprising technical experts from both nations, worked tirelessly in La Paz to finalize the remaining 3.5km of border along the Rio Negro.

The final stretch's demarcation involved cross-checking geographic data collected by high-precision drones against desk-based information. The completion of this task marks the end of a historic chapter between the two countries, reinforcing trust and cooperation. The Bolivian government hailed the finished border as a secure and mutually recognized division.

Paraguay's foreign ministry, in a statement ahead of the official conclusion, noted that Bolivia and Paraguay would be the sole South American nations with fully demarcated borders. This achievement comes after extensive efforts by their respective teams, even in challenging and remote territories.