Óscar Arias
Óscar Arias Sánchez (born 13 September 1940 in Heredia, Costa Rica) is a Costa Rican activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. He was President of Costa Rica from 1986 to 1990 and from 2006 to 2010. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his efforts to end civil wars in Central America. He is also a winner of the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism and a trustee of Economists for Peace and Security.
Óscar Arias Sánchez | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President of Costa Rica | |
| In office 8 May 2006 – 8 May 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Abel Pacheco de la Espriella |
| Succeeded by | Laura Chinchilla |
| In office 8 May 1986 – 8 May 1990 | |
| Preceded by | Luis Alberto Monge |
| Succeeded by | Rafael Ángel Calderón Fournier |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 September 1940 Heredia, Costa Rica |
| Political party | PLN |
In 2003, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Criminal Court's TrustFund for Victims.[1] He is also a member of the Club de Madrid. It is a nonprofit organization. It is made up of 81 former leaders of democratic nations. They work to strengthen democracy.[2]
Arias started his political career in the 1970s.
In January 2005 Arias was selected as the candidate for the National Liberation party. He was reelected as president of Costa Rica. There was a lot of criticism for his support towards the Free Trade Agreement process in Costa Rica. Because of his political background and determination, many Costa Ricans still trust and respect Arias.
Óscar Arias Media
Óscar Arias Sánchez, president of Costa Rica, during a visit by US president George W. Bush May 8, 2006
Arias with Barack Obama on 17 April 2009
References
- ↑ Amnesty International, 12 September 2003, Amnesty International welcomes the election of a Board of Directors. Retrieved on 1 August 2007.
- ↑ Former Heads of State and Government | Club de Madrid Archived 2013-04-07 at the Wayback Machine. Clubmadrid.org. Retrieved on 2012-09-15.