The Silala/Siloli Watershed: Dispute over the Most Vulnerable Basin in South America

Abstract

The dispute over the Silala (or Siloli) Basin, shared by Bolivia and Chile, illustrates the importance of history, the role of indigenous communities, and the effects of differences in national socio-economic philosophies informing water resource management in international negotiations concerning transboundary watercourses, regardless of their size. The Silala case provides an illuminating example of the overlap between surface and groundwater regimes, and the range of interpretations states can uphold regarding this complex interaction. The objective of this paper is to present a brief case study, including a physical description, historical review, summary of current status, and discussion of the legal context of the transboundary Silala Basin.

Keywords: Silala, watercourse, transboundary river, groundwater, water dispute, international water law

JEL Classification: K32, K33, N50, Q25