born Sept. 13, 1941, Heredia, Costa Rica
President of Costa Rica (1986–90).
A moderate socialist born to wealth, Arias worked for the National Liberation Party from the 1960s. He 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.