Oscar Arias
Oscar Arias
Óscar Arias Sánchezwas 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 the Central American crisis...
NationalityCosta Rican
ProfessionWorld Leader
Date of Birth13 September 1940
CityHeredia, Costa Rica
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Latin Americans glorify their past so ceaselessly that they make it almost impossible to advocate change.
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We may believe in the state's responsibility to alleviate the crushing poverty that afflicts 40 percent of Latin America's population, but most of us also affirm that there is no better cure for that poverty than a stronger, more globally integrated economy.
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Latin Americans hold on tight even to pain and suffering, preferring a certain present to an uncertain future. Some of this is only natural, entirely human. But for us, the fear is paralyzing; it generates not only anxiety but also paralysis.
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An overall trend of political moderation in Latin America makes for far less interesting headlines, but it also makes for far better lives for our people.
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It's not fair for the U.S. to spend, on arms and weapons, so much money and then not spend on health care the money that is needed.
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In 1995, world military spending totaled nearly $800 billion. If we redirected just $40 billion of those resources over the next 10 years to fighting poverty, all of the world's population would enjoy basic social services, such as education, health care, nutrition, reproductive health, clean water and sanitation.
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You should not have the least doubt that in this, we will not cede.
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It's a country that's accustomed to elections every four years. Clean, crystalline, transparent elections.
aid central future increased trade
The absence of significant development aid has only increased the importance of trade for Central America's future.
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Poverty and lack of education are ruining our planet.
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Our world is certainly dangerous, but it is made more dangerous, not less, by those who value profits over peace.
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More combat planes, missiles and soldiers won't provide additional bread for our families, desks for our schools, or medicine for our clinics.
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Mine is an unarmed people, whose children have never seen a fighter or a tank or a warship.
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Latin America has not achieved the development that it deserves... I'm not optimistic for all of Latin America, not only for Central America.