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Original article: Diputados exigen a Cancillería defender sin ambigüedades el Estrecho de Magallanes ante dichos argentinos sobre soberanía

Lawmakers Demand Clear Defense of Strait of Magellan from Chilean Foreign Ministry Amid Argentine Sovereignty Claims

Members of the Frente Amplio (FA) party, Ericka Ñanco and Jaime Bassa, have formally requested that the Chilean Foreign Ministry unequivocally defend the Strait of Magellan following statements by Hernán Montero, chief of Argentina’s Naval Hydrography Service, which question Chile’s sovereignty over this vital maritime passage.

The Argentine rear admiral claimed in a podcast that «the mouth of the Strait of Magellan» belongs to Argentina.

«The mouth that connects Cape Vírgenes with Punta Dúngenes and from there eastward is Argentine,» Montero asserted.

Ñanco and Bassa emphasized that these statements disregard existing international treaties, such as the 1881 Treaty and the 1984 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which delineate the maritime and land borders between the two nations and undermine Chile’s sovereignty over the Strait of Magellan.

In their official request, the lawmakers seek detailed information from the Foreign Ministry regarding diplomatic actions taken to date, including potential notes of protest and international legal follow-up measures to ensure compliance with the treaties.

Deputy Ñanco, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, reiterated her call to the ministry, led by Francisco Pérez Mackenna, to «speak clearly and defend, unequivocally, our country’s sovereignty.»

She stressed the seriousness of the Argentine admiral’s remarks, noting they «cast doubt on something that is clear for Chile: the territorial integrity of the Strait of Magellan is under Chilean sovereignty.»

She pointed out that Montero’s statements also overlook what was agreed upon by Santiago and Buenos Aires in the 1881 Boundary Treaty, «particularly in Articles 2 and 3, and reiterated in the 1984 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which also stipulates that Argentina cannot obstruct its entry or exit.»

In a similar vein, Deputy Jaime Bassa called for a responsible and firm institutional response in defense of national interests.

«I believe we must proceed cautiously in these matters,” he remarked, as reported by Bio Bío Chile.

A member of the Defense Committee, he suggested that if it is determined that there has been a violation by the head of Argentina’s Naval Hydrography Service, it is essential to «assert the respective responsibilities and possibly send a note of protest to the Argentine state.»

“We hope that if there is indeed any legal flaw or violation of the international treaty, the Government of Chile will strongly defend our sovereignty,” proposed the constitutional lawyer.

In their official request, both lawmakers stress that the statements from a foreign official cannot be treated as minor or neutral expressions, as they directly impact the balance of bilateral relations and the respect for legal instruments that have guaranteed territorial stability in the region for decades, as cited by the aforementioned media.

Deputy Ñanco: «Silence on Sovereignty is Concerning»

In a message posted on her social media account on X, Deputy Ericka Ñanco criticized government spokesperson Mara Sedini for her reluctance to express and defend Chile’s sovereignty regarding the Strait of Magellan.

The deputy shared a video documenting the moment Sedini was questioned by the press about the government of José Antonio Kast’s position regarding the controversial statements made by the Argentine admiral.

Instead of addressing the issue, the La Moneda spokesperson merely responded: «We operate under the rules we have and the treaties in place, and it is precisely the ministers of those portfolios who will provide the relevant statements on behalf of the Government of Chile.»

The footage shows that when journalists sought clarification that for the Executive, «the Strait of Magellan is Chilean,» Sedini chose to smile and walk away without giving a definitive answer.

In light of this scenario, Deputy Ñanco questioned, «When did defending our territory become optional?»

«It is concerning that there is silence when it comes to sovereignty,» she warned.

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