Kast will not request annulment of Argentine decree on Magellan

The President of Chile, José Antonio Kast, assured that he will not demand his Argentine counterpart, Javier Milei, to repeal Decree 457/2021. The aforementioned document questions Chilean sovereignty over the Strait of Magellan and suggests "joint control" of the bioceanic route, which is positioned as an alternative route for ships due to the current transit restrictions in the Panama Canal.

Kast's intervention comes prior to the bilateral meeting that both leaders will hold at the La Moneda Palace on September 3.

Regarding the meeting, the Chilean president assured that he will not request the annulment of the decree, arguing that the sovereignty of the Strait of Magellan is established in the international treaties of 1881 and 1984.

"We are not going to demand President Milei to sign (repeal) that decree because international treaties clearly establish Chile's sovereignty over the Strait of Magellan, that is very clear, there is no doubt who has control and sovereignty over the Strait of Magellan," he indicated.

Furthermore, the president explained that "it is not a debate about who is more patriotic by raising their voice louder. Deeds, not words, here we are in the Strait of Magellan which is Chilean, I think delving into the discussion makes no sense, it is something that will happen, but one does not necessarily have to demand something from a president when he comes to the nation, saying 'I demand this from you'".

Continuing with the upcoming bilateral, Kast maintained that the sovereignty of the Patagonian crossing is "settled" and pointed fingers at the previous president of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, as it was his administration that signed the controversial document.

"Tomorrow we will have a meeting with President Milei, where we will discuss different topics. This issue is settled, beyond the signature that ends a decree signed by Mr. Fernández (Alberto)."

Finally, the president reiterated Chile's sovereignty over the maritime passage route, stating that "what I can reiterate is that the Strait of Magellan is Chilean and that Argentina does not have and will never have control over the strait," José Antonio Kast concluded.

It should be remembered that the diplomatic crisis initiated between Buenos Aires and Santiago originated after the assertions of the general of the Argentine Air Force, Gustavo Valverde, who assured that the country on the Atlantic coast must have a presence in Magellan as it is a bioceanic key.