Red, blue, green and black enamel uniface Maltese cross with elaborate suspension in the form of a condor; the central gilt and multi-coloured enamel medallion bearing the arms of Bolivia encircled by a red enamel ring inscribed ‘EL HONORABLE CONGRESO NACIONAL - A LOS DEFENSORES DEL CHACO (The Honourable National Congress – to the Defenders of the Chaco); of modern manufacture; on original ribbon. The Chaco War of 1932 to 1935 was a bloody and costly conflict between Bolivia and Paraguay for access to the Río de la Plata and thus the Atlantic coast and the assumed but non-existent oil reserves of the Gran Chaco. Whilst Bolivia had three times the population of Paraguay, the morale of its army was low and the terrain better suited the Paraguayans. After many months of heavy fighting and the loss of 100,000 men in total, a peace treaty was signed in Buenos Aires on 21 July 1938. Paraguay was confirmed in most of the disputed area but Bolivia was given a corridor to the Paraguay River and a port at Puerto Casado.
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