Territorial and border disputes have long been a foundation for conflicts in the international arena, but in Latin America, gaps in literature still remain. Analyzing cases in this region can equip the international community to understand sources of conflict, formulate improved foreign policy with U.S. allied partners, and achieve steps toward peace and stability. The general application theory is still being sought: What factors cause dispute resolutions in Latin America? Chile has been able to resolve disputes with other countries with shared borders but has yet to yield to Bolivia's aspirations for sovereign access to the sea. This thesis examines three case studies of territorial or boundary disputes utilizing Chile as the nexus: the Beagle Channel dispute between Chile and Argentina; the Chile-Peru Maritime Boundary Dispute; and Bolivia's pursuit of sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean. Through analysis of dyadic attempts at resolution via an international relations lens, this research finds that nations in dispute are likely to terminate conflict with the presence of an international resolution body, a desired mutual peace, and leaders that promote favorable discourse toward settlement.

Subjects: Latin America; South America; Chile; Bolivia; Argentina; Peru; maritime; border; territorial dispute; international relations; realism; liberalism; constructivism