UN court rejects Bolivia’s Pacific Ocean access case
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The United Nations’ highest court has rejected landlocked Bolivia’s bid to force Chile to the negotiating table over granting access to the Pacific Ocean.
In a legal ruling Monday from the Hague-based International Court of Justice that was broadcast live throughout Bolivia, the 15-judge panel said that a string of agreements, memorandums and statements produced over decades of talks hadn’t created a legal obligation on Chile to enter negotiations.
In a sweeping rejection of the Bolivian case, the court, by a 12-3 majority, dismissed eight different legal arguments presented by Bolivia’s lawyers. The court’s rulings are final and binding.
In Chile, President Sebastian Pinera described it as “a great day” for the country.