Key facts
- Argentina's Air Force chief Gustavo Javier Valverde made statements suggesting Argentine sovereignty over the Strait of Magellan.
- Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna asserted that the Strait of Magellan is indisputably Chilean.
- Argentina's Foreign Ministry reaffirmed the country's position, recognizing Chilean sovereignty over the strait's waters as per treaties.
- Chilean President José Antonio Kast welcomed the Argentine government's acknowledgment of Chilean sovereignty.
- Chile's Foreign Ministry lodged a formal protest with Argentina over the remarks.
Argentina's government moved swiftly to de-escalate a diplomatic dispute with Chile following controversial remarks by the head of Argentina's Air Force concerning the sovereignty of the Strait of Magellan. The comments, made by Gustavo Javier Valverde over the weekend, suggested that the strait was Argentine territory and a "bioceanic key."
Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna responded sharply, calling for responsible declarations and stating that the Strait of Magellan is "indisputably Chilean." He urged other countries' authorities not to confuse their citizens.
In an effort to quell the controversy, Argentina's Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday emphasizing the importance of the bilateral relationship and the existence of treaties that affirm Chilean jurisdiction over the strait's waters. The ministry cited the 1881 Boundary Treaty and the 1984 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which recognize Chilean sovereignty over the strait and are considered definitive by Argentina.