Chile president makes first state visit to Bolivia in 71 years as region shifts right

Chile’s president is in Bolivia for the first state visit by a Chilean leader in more than seven decadesLA PAZ, Bolivia -- Chilean President José Antonio Kast arrived in neighboring Bolivia on Friday for the first state visit by a Chilean leader in more than seven decades, as a rightward realignment in South America reshapes long-standing rivalries.Kast and Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, both recently elected conservatives allied with U.S. President Donald Trump, are seeking to thaw relations strained since Bolivia lost its Pacific coastline to Chile in a 19th-century war. The two governments have joined the Trump administration’s “ Shield of the Americas ” coalition against drug trafficking, part of a broader push by Washington to build security partnerships with like-minded leaders across Latin America.The neighbors have not had ambassador-level relations since 1978, though they maintain consulates and cooperate on issues such as immigration and trade. Restoring full diplomatic ties was not on the agenda, officials said. “It’s too early. There’s a path to work on to change the approach to relations, and it will take time,” Bolivian Minister of the Presidency Fernando Aramayo sai...