Territorial boundary disputes sometimes appear insoluble. To explain this phenomenon, the author introduces a new model requiring three simultaneous elements to achieve resolution.

Theoretical Framework:

The "AAA Model" (Attention, Altered Preferences, Assistance) posits that territorial disputes clear only when specific conditions converge: attention must be drawn back to resolving them; government preferences toward territory must expand through influence factors; and third-party mediation is necessary.

Latin American Context:

Applying this framework specifically to Latin America's post-WWII era reveals the dispute resolution process operates through three distinct mechanisms:

• Militarization forces attention on boundaries

• Democratization broadens governmental interests in territorial outcomes

• Mediation provides crucial third-party facilitation

Research Design:

The analysis employs multiple methods, including extensive counterfactual comparisons that test what would have happened if one component of the model was absent.

Key Finding:

These analyses consistently demonstrate a strong relationship: disputes with all three AAA elements (attention, altered preferences, assistance) clear; those missing any single element do not resolve. This robust finding underscores how these political processes interact to produce durable peace.