Lula Criticizes US Tariffs at Panama Summit
- The International economic Forum Latin America and the Caribbean began this Wednesday with the presence of seven heads of state of diverse political orientation from...
- The second edition of the event, known as the Latin American Davos, aims to find ways to insert the region into the global scenario and is...
- The presidents of panama, José Raúl Mulino, participate; from Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva; Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz; Colombia, Gustavo Petro; Ecuador, Daniel Noboa; Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo;...
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The International economic Forum Latin America and the Caribbean began this Wednesday with the presence of seven heads of state of diverse political orientation from Latin America and the Caribbean, at a time of regional tensions marked after the capture of the ousted president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro.
The second edition of the event, known as the Latin American Davos, aims to find ways to insert the region into the global scenario and is organized by the development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean CAF.
The presidents of panama, José Raúl Mulino, participate; from Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva; Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz; Colombia, Gustavo Petro; Ecuador, Daniel Noboa; Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo; the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, and the elected president of Chile, José Antonio Kast.
In the inaugural photo all the invited leaders appear with the exception of Petro, one of the last leaders to arrive in Panama.
“This is not an Official Summit, but rather a meeting of those of us who are interested in the development of our nations,” said mulino, host president, who defined himself as a defender of the free econo
Bolivia Offers Chile Access to Brazilian Markets
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Bolivian President Luis Arce offered Chile a pathway to connect with Brazil through Bolivian territory and the Paraguay-Paraná waterway, aiming to integrate the economies of south American nations. This proposal seeks to leverage Bolivia as a logistical hub for trade between Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina.
Bolivia’s Role as a Regional Bridge
Bolivia aims to facilitate trade by providing both land routes and access to the Paraguay-Paraná waterway. This strategy positions Bolivia as a key transit country for goods moving between the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of South America. President Arce specifically mentioned utilizing Bolivian territorial ports and the Paraguay-Paraná waterway to create a complementary trade network.
For example, on January 26, 2026, President Arce stated, “Through Bolivia, those territorial (land) ports or through the waterway (Paraguay Paraná) we will be part of a complement together with Uruguay and Paraguay and Argentina.” Presidencia de Bolivia.
Potential Benefits for Chile
Chile currently faces logistical challenges in accessing Brazilian markets due to geographical barriers. Bolivia’s offer could provide a more efficient and cost-effective route for Chilean exports to reach Brazil and vice versa. This could boost trade volumes and strengthen economic ties between the two countries and the wider region.
According to data from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL), trade between Chile and Brazil reached $12.8 billion USD in 2023. Improved access through Bolivia could perhaps increase this figure considerably. CEPAL – International Trade in Latin America and the Caribbean 2023.
The Paraguay-Paraná Waterway
The Paraguay-Paraná Waterway is a crucial transportation artery for South America, allowing for the movement of goods via river barges. Bolivia’s access to this waterway, combined with its land routes, offers Chile a dual-pronged approach to reaching Brazilian markets. The waterway is particularly vital for exporting agricultural products.
The Hidrovia Paraguay-Paraná (HPP) project,a joint initiative between Argentina,Brazil,Bolivia,Paraguay,and Uruguay,aims to deepen and improve the navigability of the waterway. About the HPP. This ongoing infrastructure development will further enhance Bolivia’s capacity to facilitate trade.