Western Hemisphere 141
Fighting renewed on July 23 and resulted in a strong appeal from Argentina’s
foreign minister for a ceasefire. Inexplicably, Peru accepted. Fighting finally stopped
on July 31. The matter was resolved with the Rio Protocol of 1942, signed in Rio
de Janeiro with the assistance of the ABC (Argentina, Brazil, Chile) powers and the
United States. The protocol reflects Peru’s victory in the fighting and Ecuador’s defeat
and comparative weakness. Peru withdrew from Ecuadorian territory, but Ecuador
was compelled to acknowledge a forfeit of its territorial claims and lost approximately
77,000 square miles of territory.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from June 1, 1939. End Date changed from
February 11, 1942.
MID#2124
Dispute Number: 2124
Date(s): February 11, 1942 to August 11, 1942
Participants: 135 Peru/130 Ecuador
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side B (Imposed)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Peru continued occupation of Jambeli Island in the disputed Zarumilla
region despite signing the January 29, 1942, Rio de Janeiro protocol that concluded
the war with Ecuador. Peru evacuated the El Oro province on February 11, as per
the terms of the treaty, but did not retreat from Jambeli Island. Ecuadorian hardlin-
ers protested immediately, hoping that Peru’s move would prevent the Rio Protocol
from being ratified. It did not, and the treaty was ratified on March 31. Ecuador tried
to draw international attention to Peru’s occupation of the territory but with little suc-
cess. Aware that any aggressive counter measures taken against Peru would upset the
ABC-US (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and United States) powers that had brokered the
end to the conflict, Ecuador confined itself to using diplomatic channels. Ecuador’s
last real protest in the fallout of this incident on August 25 was largely ignored.
MID#2123
Dispute Number: 2123
Date(s): February 26, 1943 to August 26, 1943
Participants: 135 Peru/130 Ecuador
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: A contingent of Peruvian soldiers occupied a site in Ecuador. Ecuadorian
forces withdrew without resisting.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from Missing. End Date changed from Missing.
Outcome changed from Unclear.
MID#2122
Dispute Number: 2122
Date(s): October 21, 1950