Bolivian President Evo Morales has fired his Defense Minister Jorge Ledezma for wearing insensitive attire.

On a humanitarian trip made to deliver drinking water to a flood-ravaged region of Chile, Ledezma wore a vest with a logo that made reference to Bolivia's claim to a section of coastline which it lost to Chile in a 19th-Century war.

As reported in a BBC article, Ledezma’s vest read: "The sea belongs to Bolivia," and displayed a map in the colors of the Bolivian flag which included the contested coastline area.

Ledezma was criticized for his controversial choice of attire and dismissed.

He explained to the local media that he was there not to provoke anyone but only to help out.

Ever since Bolivia lost 250 miles of coastline to Chile during the War of the Pacific, the country has been landlocked.

Over the years Bolivia has tried to reclaim the territory and has on occasion even severed relations with Chile when attempts to get back the coastline area failed. Two years ago, Bolivia filed a lawsuit against Chile at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The court has yet to make a ruling.

Although admitting to often wearing the vest and even sharing the sentiment of the motto printed on it, Ledezma said that the issue was not a topic he had intended to bring up on his visit to Chile.

The northern Chilean town of Copiapo, where Ledezma visited, has recently been devastated by flash floods resulting from the heaviest rains to fall in the region in 80 years.

In the aftermath of the floods, at least 23 people have died and 57 are considered missing.

The situation is dire as many Chilean communities have been left without electricity and drinking water.

The former Defense Minister was replaced by Reymi Ferreira, a former university head.