We deplore the resurgence of violence between countries in our hemisphere. We would like to remind both countries of the importance of non-violent international solutions for conflict. We hope they will remember and take pride in the fact that, in the past decade, Latin America has diminished its military spending more than any other region in the world. We are concerned that South America could revert to its earlier history of military solutions if hostilities between Ecuador and Peru are not resolved soon.
The negotiating table remains the best place to begin to find a solution that is in everyone's best interests. The use of force will only make solutions more difficult.
We therefore urgently request that both Ecuador and Peru declare a cease-fire and permit an international mediation that will end the crisis and resolve the problem definitively. It is our hope that the Organization of American States and the United Nations will be able to play crucial roles supporting the four countries that are parties to the Protocol of Rio of 1942 to begin a process that will bring peace to the region.
Arias and Carter are members of the Council of Freely Elected Heads of Government based at The Carter Center. The council is a group of 24 current former leaders from the Western Hemisphere who promote democracy and the peaceful resolution of the region's conflicts.