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Óscar Arias

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Óscar Arias
NameÓscar Arias
CaptionArias in 2009
OrderPresident of Costa Rica
Term start8 May 2006
Term end8 May 2010
VicepresidentLaura Chinchilla, Kevin Casas Zamora
Predecessor1Abel Pacheco
Successor1Laura Chinchilla
Order2President of Costa Rica
Term start28 May 1986
Term end28 May 1990
Vicepresident2Jorge Manuel Dengo, Victoria Garrón
Predecessor2Luis Alberto Monge
Successor2Rafael Ángel Calderón Fournier
Birth date13 September 1940
Birth placeHeredia, Costa Rica
PartyNational Liberation Party
SpouseMargarita Penón (1973–2004)
Alma materUniversity of Costa Rica, University of Essex, London School of Economics
ProfessionLawyer, Political scientist, Diplomat

Óscar Arias is a Costa Rican politician, political scientist, and diplomat who served two non-consecutive terms as President of Costa Rica. He first led the nation from 1986 to 1990, a period during which he became a central figure in regional peace efforts, earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his work in ending the Central American crises. Arias returned to the presidency from 2006 to 2010, championing environmental and free trade policies, and has remained an influential global advocate for democracy, disarmament, and sustainable development.

Early life and education

Óscar Arias was born in Heredia into a prominent family of coffee growers. He pursued his higher education at the University of Costa Rica, earning degrees in Law and Economics. He later obtained a doctorate in Political Science from the University of Essex in England and completed post-doctoral studies at the prestigious London School of Economics. His academic work focused on the political development of Costa Rica and the broader Central American region, laying the intellectual groundwork for his future political career.

Political career

Before his presidency, Arias held several important positions within the National Liberation Party (PLN) and the Government of Costa Rica. He served as a professor at the University of Costa Rica and worked as an advisor to President José Figueres Ferrer. Arias was appointed Minister of National Planning and Political Economy under President Daniel Oduber Quirós. He was later elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, where he became known for his expertise in economic policy and his commitment to social democratic principles.

Presidency

During his first term, Arias faced severe regional instability fueled by the Contra War in Nicaragua and civil conflicts in El Salvador and Guatemala. He authored the Esquipulas Peace Agreement, a regional peace plan that was signed by the presidents of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Domestically, his administration emphasized economic stabilization and social programs. In his second term, he prioritized environmental initiatives, such as the "Peace with Nature" program, and successfully campaigned for the ratification of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

Post-presidency and later life

After leaving office in 2010, Arias remained active in international affairs through his leadership of the Óscar Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress. He has served as a mediator and consultant on global conflicts, working with organizations like the United Nations and the Inter-American Dialogue. He has also been a vocal critic of military spending and an advocate for democracy in nations such as Venezuela and Cuba. In later years, he faced legal scrutiny in Costa Rica related to a corruption investigation known as the Cemento China case, though charges were not filed.

Nobel Peace Prize and international recognition

In 1987, Arias was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his pivotal role in conceiving and promoting the Esquipulas Peace Agreement, which laid the foundation for ending the Central American conflicts. The Norwegian Nobel Committee cited his "outstanding contribution to the possible return of stability and peace to a region long torn by strife and civil war." This recognition elevated his international stature, leading to numerous other honors, including the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism and the Martin Luther King Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize. His peacemaking efforts are studied as a model of regional diplomacy.

Personal life

Arias married Margarita Penón, a biochemist and fellow politician with the National Liberation Party, in 1973. The couple had two children before divorcing in 2004. An avid reader and scholar, he has authored several books on democracy, peace, and development. Despite his global profile, he maintains a residence in Heredia and is known for his passion for classical music and history. His brother, Rodrigo Arias Sánchez, served as Minister of the Presidency during his second term.

Category:Presidents of Costa Rica Category:Nobel Peace Prize laureates Category:1940 births Category:Living people