Resolved the decades-long Tacna-Arica territorial dispute between Chile and Peru, establishing a formal border and ending Chilean administration of Tacna.
Key Facts
- Date signed
- June 3, 1929
- Chilean compensation to Peru
- US$6 million USD
- Territory awarded to Peru
- Tacna
- Territory retained by Chile
- Arica
- Railway granted to Peru
- Tacna–Arica railway administration
- Dispute duration
- Since 1883 (46 years under Chilean administration)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following Chile's victory in the War of the Pacific (1879–1884), the provinces of Tacna and Arica came under Chilean administration per the Treaty of Ancón (1883). The final status of these territories remained unresolved for decades, creating an ongoing territorial dispute between Chile and Peru.
On June 3, 1929, Peru's Pedro José Rada y Gamio and Chile's Emiliano Figueroa Larrain signed the Treaty of Lima. The agreement divided the disputed Tacna Province: Tacna was returned to Peru while Chile retained Arica. Chile agreed to pay Peru up to US$6 million in compensation and granted Peru administration of the Tacna–Arica railway and a pier at the Port of Arica.
The treaty formally ended the Tacna-Arica dispute, establishing a recognized international boundary between Chile and Peru. Peru regained sovereignty over Tacna after 46 years of Chilean administration, while Chile secured permanent control of Arica, stabilizing relations between the two nations.
Political Outcome
Tacna awarded to Peru; Chile retained Arica; Chile paid US$6 million compensation; border formally established between Chile and Peru.
Chile administered both Tacna and Arica since 1883 with final status unresolved
Tacna returned to Peru; Chile retained Arica; formal border recognized by both states