Guatemala foreign policy from 1986 to 1996

Abstract

The foreign policy of neutrality adopted by the Guatemalan government in the eighties, sought to halt the arms race in the Central American region facing the Nicaraguan conflict, to develop a process of democratization as a way to reach peace. It was implemented during the government of Vinicio Cerezo with the initiatives of Esquipulas and was complemented by the Plan Arias with the International Community ́s collaboration. All this process started in 1986 and culminated with the pacification and democratization throughout Central America in 1996, when the Steady and Lasting Peace Accord was signed between the Guatemalan government and Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity guerrilla (Guerilla Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca, URNG).