Óscar Arias

Costa Rican political activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who was President of Costa Rica from 1986 to 1990 and from 2006 to 2010.

He was born into a wealthy coffee family; both his grandfathers served in the legislature. He studied law and economics and was first politically active in 1964, setting up groups for the study of national affairs. A political-science professor 1969-1972, he became a Cabinet Member as the Minister of National Planning and Political Economy in August 1972. He was first elected President on 2 February 1986 and sworn in on 8 May 1986.

By 15 February 1987, Arias had devised a ten-point plan for peace that he submitted to the presidents of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras at a meeting. The plan called for immediate cease-fires in all guerrilla wars in the region, in Guatemala and El Salvador as well as Nicaragua. All outside military aid to rebel groups would be suspended; there would be a general amnesty, and negotiations between conflicting parties would be initiated. This was to be followed by free elections in the region, guarantees for improved human and civil rights and a general reduction in military forces.

Despite some loopholes and conflicting discussion, a pact was signed on 7 August 1987 by all five Central American heads of state.

Arias was the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize on 14 October 1987 for his authorship of the Central American Peace Plan.