Arias Sánchez, Oscar (ôs`kär är`yäs sän`chĕz), 1941–, president of Costa Rica (1986–90, 2006–). He was financial adviser to the president (1970–72), minister of national planning (1972–77), and congressman (1978–82). As president, he attempted to address Costa Rica's massive economic problems; his chief concern, however, was to work for the restoration of peace in Central America. Intent on preserving his nation's historic role as a neutral and demilitarized country, he opposed the previous administration's policy of allowing U.S.-backed Nicaraguan contras to operate from Costa Rican territory. In 1987, he led a regional peace initiative that called for a cease-fire, the granting of amnesty to political prisoners and the holding of free and democratic elections in each of the Central American countries. In 1987, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was elected president for a second time, by a narrow margin, in 2006.

Arias Sánchez, Oscar

Oscar Arias Sánchez, 1987.

(credit: Bill Gentile/Corbis)

(born Sept. 13, 1941, Heredia, Costa Rica) President of Costa Rica (1986–90; 2006– ). Born to wealth, Arias became a moderate socialist and worked for the National Liberation Party from the 1960s. He first became president at a time when much of Central America was torn by civil war. His 1987 Central American peace plan, signed by the leaders of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, included provisions for cease-fires, free elections, and amnesty for political prisoners. He was awarded the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize. Arias was again elected president in 2006.