Gobernar territorialidades transfronterizas. Seguridad y “desarrollo con identidad” aymara en la triple frontera del norte de Chile (Chile-Perú-Bolivia)

Abstract

Based on the case of the Strategic Alliance Aymaras without Borders between Chile, Peru and Bolivia this paper tackles the specific role of the Chilean part in the construction of a crossborder political space. It interprets the apparition of “autonomous” and indigenous territories of public action as a paradoxical manifestation of State consolidation. The government of Chilean territory is based on a combination of security and economic liberalism: how are those two characteristics inserted within a crossborder project which is leaded by marginal and indigenous authorities? Which are the specificities of the Chilean Aymara mayors in this process? The paper emphasizes a movement of securitization of the crossborder space through the elaboration of “development with identity” policies for the aymaras. The facilitation of crossborder and aymara mobility and exchanges matches with Chilean border security policies; the government of Chilean territory is taken over by the action indigenous elites who confirm the position of Chile as a vector of “good practices” within the region.