(above) Image caption President Morales argues that international norms forbid installing military bases less than 50km (30 miles) from an international frontier. Image copyright EPA

Bolivian President Evo Morales says Chile base is a threat
May 8, 2016 - telesurtv.net

Bolivia's President Evo Morales has accused neighbouring Chile of threatening his country by establishing a military base close to their border.

Mr Morales said the base about 15km (10 miles) from the border was an act of aggression against Bolivia.

He said international norms prohibited military installations within 50km (30miles) from shared frontiers.

Chile says it has stepped up military patrols but denies it has established a base.

The foreign ministry in Santiago said: "No such military installation exists. What has happened is that we have intensified military patrols in Chilean territory to stop attacks against civilians, robberies, contraband and drug trafficking coming from Bolivia."

The statement said "the only military installation is in the area of Silala river on the Bolivian side only 1.5 km (one mile) in a straight line from the frontier from Chile.

"Bolivia should answer for why it has a permanent military presence on the border."

Both countries have been at loggerheads for years over access to the waters of the Silala river.

The River Silala rises in Bolivia but flows down the Andes into Chile.

President Morales said Bolivia would file a suit against Chile at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the issue of the river.

Bolivia says it owns the Silala spring in a border region and that it is not being compensated by Chile for the use of its waters.

But Chile says it is an international waterway of shared use.

Chile uses some of the river's water for its mining operations in the Atacama Desert. The country is the world's largest copper producer.

Bolivia had brought up another case against Chile at the Hague-based ICJ, demanding access to the Pacific Ocean.

Bolivia-Chile land dispute has deep roots

In 2013, La Paz took the century-old dispute with Chile over access to the Pacific Ocean to the court, which has yet to rule on the issue.

Bolivia lost 400km (250 miles) of coast to Chile in a 19th Century war and has been landlocked ever since.