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{{Short description|1987 Central American peace accords}}
The '''Esquipulas Peace Agreement''' was an initiative in the mid-[[1980]]s to settle the military conflicts which had plagued [[Central America]] for many years, in some cases, notably [[Guatemala]] decades. It built upon work laid by the [[Contadora Group]] from [[1983]] to [[1985]].
{{more citations needed|date=February 2007}}
{{Infobox treaty
| name = Esquipulas II
| long_name = Procedure for the Establishment of a Firm and Lasting Peace in Central America
| rep = <!-- [[File:Example.png|200px|alt=Example alt text]] OR: -->
| image =
| image_width =
| image_alt = [[MOS:ACCESS]] -->
| caption = Central America presidents signing the Esquipulas Accords
| type = [[Peace treaty]]
| context = [[Cold War]]
| date_drafted =
| date_signed = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1987|08|31}}
| location_signed = [[Guatemala City]], [[Guatemala]]
| date_sealed =
| date_effective =
| condition_effective =
| date_expiry =
| mediators =
| negotiators =
| signatories =
* {{flagdeco|GUA}} [[Vinicio Cerezo]] (President of Guatemala)
* {{flagdeco|SLV}} [[José Napoleón Duarte]] (President of El Salvador)
* {{flagdeco|NIC}} [[Daniel Ortega]] (President of Nicaragua)
* {{flagdeco|HON}} [[José Azcona del Hoyo]] (President of Honduras)
* {{flagdeco|CRC}} [[Óscar Arias Sánchez]] (President of Costa Rica)
| parties =
* {{flag|Costa Rica}}
* {{flag|El Salvador}}
* {{flag|Guatemala}}
* {{flag|Honduras}}
* {{flag|Nicaragua}}
| ratifiers =
| depositor =
| depositories = <!-- format this as a bullet list -->
|
| language = <!-- format this as a bullet list -->
|
| languages = Spanish


| wikisource = <!-- OR: -->
The agreement was named for [[Esquipulas]], [[Guatemala]] where the initial meetings took place.
| wikisource1 = <!-- Up to 5 wikisourceN variables may be specified -->
}}
{{Infobox treaty
| name = Esquipulas I
| long_name = Esquipulas Declaration
| rep = <!-- [[File:Example.png|200px|alt=Example alt text]] OR: -->
| image =
| image_width =
| image_alt = <!-- alt-text here for accessibility; see [[MOS:ACCESS]] -->
| caption =
|
| type = [[Peace treaty]]
| context = [[Cold War]]
|
| date_drafted =
| date_signed = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1986|08|25}}
| location_signed = [[Esquipulas]], [[Guatemala]]
| date_sealed =
| date_effective =
| condition_effective =
| date_expiry =
| mediators =
| negotiators =
| signatories =
* {{flagdeco|GUA}} [[Vinicio Cerezo]] (President of Guatemala)
* {{flagdeco|SLV}} [[José Napoleón Duarte]] (President of El Salvador)
* {{flagdeco|NIC}} [[Daniel Ortega]] (President of Nicaragua)
* {{flagdeco|HON}} [[José Azcona del Hoyo]] (President of Honduras)
* {{flagdeco|CRC}} [[Óscar Arias Sánchez]] (President of Costa Rica)
| parties =
* {{flag|Costa Rica}}
* {{flag|El Salvador}}
* {{flag|Guatemala}}
* {{flag|Honduras}}
* {{flag|Nicaragua}}
| ratifiers =
| depositor =
| depositories = <!-- format this as a bullet list -->
|
| language = <!-- format this as a bullet list -->
|
| languages = Spanish


| wikisource = <!-- OR: -->
In May [[1986]], a summit meeting, "Esquipulas I", took place, attended by the five Central American presidents.
| wikisource1 = <!-- Up to 5 wikisourceN variables may be specified -->
On [[February 15]], [[1987]], [[Costa Rica|Costa Rican]] President [[Óscar Arias]] submitted a Peace Plan which evolved from this meeting.
}}
The '''Esquipulas Nicaraguan Peace Agreement''', also known as the '''Central American Peace Accords''', was a peace initiative in the mid-1980s to settle the military conflicts that had plagued [[Central America]] for many years, and in some cases (notably [[Guatemala]]) for decades. It built upon groundwork laid by the [[Contadora Group]] from 1983 to 1985. The agreement was named for [[Esquipulas]], [[Guatemala]], where the initial meetings took place. The US Congress lobbying efforts were helped by one of Capitol Hill's top lobbyists, [[William C. Chasey]].


During 1986 and 1987, the "Esquipulas Process" was established, in which the Central American heads of state agreed on economic cooperation and a framework for peaceful conflict resolution. The "Esquipulas II Accord" emerged from this and was signed in [[Guatemala City]] by the five presidents on [[August 7]], 1987.
In May 1986, a summit meeting at dawn, "Esquipulas I," took place, attended by the five Central American presidents. On February 15, 1987, [[Costa Rica]]n [[President of Costa Rica|President]] [[Óscar Arias]] submitted a Peace Plan which evolved{{Clarify|date=August 2009}} from this meeting. During 1986 and 1987, the "Esquipulas Process" was established, in which the Central American heads of state agreed on economic cooperation and a framework for peaceful conflict resolution. The "Esquipulas II Accord" emerged from this and was signed in [[Guatemala City]] by President [[Vinicio Cerezo]] of Guatemala, President [[José Napoleón Duarte]] of El Salvador, President [[Daniel Ortega]] of Nicaragua, President [[José Azcona del Hoyo]] of Honduras and President [[Óscar Arias Sánchez]] of Costa Rica on August 7, 1987.


Esquipulas II defined a number of measures to promote national reconciliation, an end to hostilities, democratization, free elections, the termination of all assistance to [[irregular military|irregular forces]], negotiations on arms controls, and assistance to refugees.
Esquipulas II defined a number of measures to promote national reconciliation, an end to hostilities, [[democratization]], [[Election#Difficulties with elections|free elections]], the termination of all assistance to [[irregular military|irregular forces]], negotiations on arms controls, and assistance to [[refugee]]s. It also laid the ground for international verification procedures and provided a timetable for implementation.
It also laid the ground for international verification procedures and provided a timetable for implementation.


==Involvement of Nicaragua==
The [[United States|US]] government refused to recognize the agreement due to its ''de facto'' recognition of the supposedly democratically elected government of Nicaragua (Sandinista regime), which the US government rejected as illegitimate and undemocratic. The US declined on the agreement thus it was unsuccessful. However some have said it was successful as they considered it a sly political attack on [[communist]] [[regime]] in Nicaragua. Eventually the agreement was rewritten more to everyone's content.
The [[United States|US]] government refused to recognize the [[Sandinista]] regime's legitimacy to represent [[Nicaragua]] in The Esquipulas Process, on the basis that the Sandinistas had taken power in a 1979 [[coup d'etat]] against the dictator [[Anastasio Somoza Debayle]], establishing the [[Junta of National Reconstruction]]. Although in 1984 the Sandinistas held [[Nicaraguan general election, 1984|an election]], in which they won the majority of the votes, the main opposition parties boycotted this election under US pressure, and the US was able to claim that the victory was illegitimate.<ref name = "bbc">{{cite web|title= On this day: 1984: Sandinistas claim election victory|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/5/newsid_2538000/2538379.stm|access-date=2007-12-21 | work=BBC News | date=November 5, 1984}}</ref> However the June 1986 outcome of the [[International Court of Justice]] case ''[[Nicaragua v. United States]]'' created a "major shift in the regional context" which ultimately persuaded the other Central American leaders to accept Nicaragua as an equal partner.<ref name=oliver/> "Suddenly, Nicaragua, which had been treated like an outcast on more than one occasion, was walking the legal, if not moral, high-ground..."<ref name=oliver>Oliver, Johanna (1999), [http://www.ices.lk/publications/esr/articles_jul99/ESR-Oliver.pdf The Esquipulas Process: A Central American Paradigm for Resolving Regional Conflict] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722031032/http://www.ices.lk/publications/esr/articles_jul99/ESR-Oliver.pdf |date=2011-07-22 }}, ''Ethnic Studies Report'', Vol. XVII, No. 2, July 1999. p153</ref> The November 1986 disclosure of the [[Iran–Contra affair]] further weakened the US influence on the process.<ref name=oliver/>


==After Esquipulas==
In subsequent years, Esquipulas laid the groundwork for the [[1990]] Oslo Accord (not to be confused with the [[1993]] [[Oslo Accords]] between the [[Israeli]] government and the [[Palestine Liberation Organization|PLO]]).This was a preliminary agreement between the Guatemalan National Reconciliation Commission (CNR) and the [[Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity]] (URNG) which brought to an end more than three decades of strife in Guatemala.
In subsequent years, Esquipulas laid the groundwork for the [[Oslo Accord (Guatemala)|Oslo Accord]] (not to be confused with the 1993 [[Oslo Accords]] between the Israeli government and the [[Palestine Liberation Organization|PLO]]). This was a preliminary agreement between the [[Guatemalan National Reconciliation Commission]] (CNR) and the [[Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity]] (URNG) which brought to an end more than three decades of strife in Guatemala.


It also inspired a return to [[liberal democracy]] in [[Nicaragua]] and the signing of a general peace agreement in [[El Salvador]].
It also inspired the signing of a general peace agreement in [[El Salvador]], the [[Chapultepec Peace Accords]] and others.


Arias' efforts on behalf of the Esquipulas Peace Agreement earned him the 1987 [[Nobel Peace Prize]].
Arias' efforts on behalf of the Esquipulas Peace Agreement earned him the 1987 [[Nobel Peace Prize]].


==See also==
[[Category:Central America]]
*[[International Support and Verification Commission]]
[[Category:Treaties]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://peacemaker.un.org/node/977 Full Text of Esquipulas I Peace Agreement], UN Peacemaker
* [http://peacemaker.un.org/node/991 Full Text of Esquipulas II Peace Agreement], UN Peacemaker

[[Category:History of Central America]]
[[Category:Peace treaties]]
[[Category:Civil wars involving the states and peoples of North America]]
[[Category:Treaties of Nicaragua]]
[[Category:Treaties of Guatemala]]
[[Category:Treaties of Costa Rica]]
[[Category:Treaties of Honduras]]
[[Category:Treaties of El Salvador]]
[[Category:Treaties of the United States]]
[[Category:Treaties concluded in 1987]]
[[Category:Nicaragua–United States relations]]
[[Category:Salvadoran Civil War]]
[[Category:Nicaraguan Revolution]]

Latest revision as of 23:58, 10 June 2024

Esquipulas II
Procedure for the Establishment of a Firm and Lasting Peace in Central America
TypePeace treaty
ContextCold War
Signed31 August 1987; 37 years ago (1987-08-31)
LocationGuatemala City, Guatemala
Signatories
Parties
LanguagesSpanish
Esquipulas I
Esquipulas Declaration
TypePeace treaty
ContextCold War
Signed25 August 1986; 38 years ago (1986-08-25)
LocationEsquipulas, Guatemala
Signatories
Parties
LanguagesSpanish

The Esquipulas Nicaraguan Peace Agreement, also known as the Central American Peace Accords, was a peace initiative in the mid-1980s to settle the military conflicts that had plagued Central America for many years, and in some cases (notably Guatemala) for decades. It built upon groundwork laid by the Contadora Group from 1983 to 1985. The agreement was named for Esquipulas, Guatemala, where the initial meetings took place. The US Congress lobbying efforts were helped by one of Capitol Hill's top lobbyists, William C. Chasey.

In May 1986, a summit meeting at dawn, "Esquipulas I," took place, attended by the five Central American presidents. On February 15, 1987, Costa Rican President Óscar Arias submitted a Peace Plan which evolved[clarification needed] from this meeting. During 1986 and 1987, the "Esquipulas Process" was established, in which the Central American heads of state agreed on economic cooperation and a framework for peaceful conflict resolution. The "Esquipulas II Accord" emerged from this and was signed in Guatemala City by President Vinicio Cerezo of Guatemala, President José Napoleón Duarte of El Salvador, President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua, President José Azcona del Hoyo of Honduras and President Óscar Arias Sánchez of Costa Rica on August 7, 1987.

Esquipulas II defined a number of measures to promote national reconciliation, an end to hostilities, democratization, free elections, the termination of all assistance to irregular forces, negotiations on arms controls, and assistance to refugees. It also laid the ground for international verification procedures and provided a timetable for implementation.

Involvement of Nicaragua

[edit]

The US government refused to recognize the Sandinista regime's legitimacy to represent Nicaragua in The Esquipulas Process, on the basis that the Sandinistas had taken power in a 1979 coup d'etat against the dictator Anastasio Somoza Debayle, establishing the Junta of National Reconstruction. Although in 1984 the Sandinistas held an election, in which they won the majority of the votes, the main opposition parties boycotted this election under US pressure, and the US was able to claim that the victory was illegitimate.[1] However the June 1986 outcome of the International Court of Justice case Nicaragua v. United States created a "major shift in the regional context" which ultimately persuaded the other Central American leaders to accept Nicaragua as an equal partner.[2] "Suddenly, Nicaragua, which had been treated like an outcast on more than one occasion, was walking the legal, if not moral, high-ground..."[2] The November 1986 disclosure of the Iran–Contra affair further weakened the US influence on the process.[2]

After Esquipulas

[edit]

In subsequent years, Esquipulas laid the groundwork for the Oslo Accord (not to be confused with the 1993 Oslo Accords between the Israeli government and the PLO). This was a preliminary agreement between the Guatemalan National Reconciliation Commission (CNR) and the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (URNG) which brought to an end more than three decades of strife in Guatemala.

It also inspired the signing of a general peace agreement in El Salvador, the Chapultepec Peace Accords and others.

Arias' efforts on behalf of the Esquipulas Peace Agreement earned him the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "On this day: 1984: Sandinistas claim election victory". BBC News. November 5, 1984. Retrieved 2007-12-21.
  2. ^ a b c Oliver, Johanna (1999), The Esquipulas Process: A Central American Paradigm for Resolving Regional Conflict Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine, Ethnic Studies Report, Vol. XVII, No. 2, July 1999. p153
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