Argentina and Chile have formally closed the controversy over the Magallanes region, with both governments ratifying Chile’s sovereignty over the entirety of the Strait of Magallanes, according to Clarin.com.
The agreement was reported on Thursday, September 3, 2026, following diplomatic discussions between the two neighboring countries. Clarin.com states that the resolution puts a definitive end to the dispute, confirming Chilean control over the full extent of the strategic waterway.
The development comes amid a broader exchange between the two nations. Clarin.com also reports that Argentine President Javier Milei met in Chile with the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy. In a separate encounter, Infobae notes that Milei held a brief bilateral meeting with Chilean politician José Antonio Kast, during which the Strait of Magallanes was mentioned just hours before an Argentine national broadcast concerning the Falkland Islands, known in Spanish as Las Malvinas.
According to La Nación, the Argentine government says Chile supports its claim over the Falkland Islands. Los Andes adds that Kast reaffirmed Chile’s backing for Argentina’s legitimate sovereignty rights over the Malvinas.
The twin statements—on the Strait of Magallanes and the Malvinas—signal a coordinated effort by Buenos Aires and Santiago to resolve territorial questions through mutual recognition. While the Magallanes issue is now settled in Chile’s favor, the Malvinas claim remains an open matter for Argentina, with Chile’s expressed support serving as a notable diplomatic endorsement.
Observers will watch whether this rapprochement leads to further joint declarations on maritime boundaries or other pending bilateral issues in the region.
