In the early nineteenth century, Chile, newly established as an independent nation, faced the challenge of developing a legal system that harmonized universal principles with the specific needs of the local context. Two legal and philosophical traditions played a crucial role in this process: natural law, conceived as a set of universal norms rooted in reason and human nature, and the law of nations, aimed at regulating relations between states through shared ethical principles grounded in reciprocity. These legal perspectives, profoundly influenced by European thought, found an intriguing expression in the works of Andrés Bello (1781-1865), a key figure in the legal codification of Latin America. Bello drew inspiration from the theories of Emer de Vattel (1714-1767), who, in his Droit des gens, systematized the principles of international law by combining them with the philosophy of natural law. Vattel's model, emphasizing state autonomy and mutual respect, significantly influenced Bello's thought, which he reinterpreted in light of the specific challenges faced by post-independence Chile. This presentation examines how the principles of natural law and the law of nations were received and adapted in the Chilean context, reflecting a dialogue between European traditions and Latin American realities. Through Bello's work, law became not only an instrument of regulation but also a means to define the identity of a new nation in the international arena