The Cenepa War (named after a river located in the area) took place in 1995, between Peru and Ecuador.
Equador and Peru have a long stading territorial dispute over the Upper Cenepa region. The Equador-Peru border has been in dispute since Ecuador’s secession from Great Colombia in 1830. The 1941 Ecuadorian-Peruvian War was ended by the signing of the Rio Protocol on January 29, 1942. The Rio Protocol required Equador, to hand over territory to the Peruvian agressors. Ecuadorean foreign policy for the last 30 years has actively pursued the nullification of the Rio Protocol.
It is uclear how the War began, the conventional wisdom is that when two patrols accidentally encountered each other and a skirmish ensued, fighting escalated beyond the routine . Equador had a superoir position on high ground and air superiority, destroying nine Peruvian aircraft during the conflict, Peru also destroyed two Equadorian aircraft. Equador also deployed more troops, approximately 3000, to Peru's 2000, casualty figures indicate that there were between 200-1500 casulaties.
On February 17, the United Nations brokered a ceasefire. All combatants were withdrawn from the disputed area by May 5, 1995. A demilitarized zone came into effect on August 4.
Notes
Marcella, G. 1995.
War and Peace in the Amazon: Strategic Implications for the United States and Latin America of the 1995 Equador-Peru War. Department of National Security and Strategy
Reference
External links
