The Problem

The Central American nations had been the theater for military conflicts in the decades leading up to the 1990s. During these conflicts, landmines where often used by both government military and guerrilla units. The majority of the mines used were produced industrially in countries outside the region, but some improvised, locally produced explosive devices were also used by irregular forces. In some cases, minefields were recorded with varying degrees of accuracy and detail. In many instances, minefields were intended as counter-infiltration measures in areas along national borders and were neither marked nor recorded. Mines were placed around key government or economic facilities, such as telecommunications installations, power lines, and bridges, as well as along trails and roads. Landmines were used in South America by Ecuador and Peru during a 1995, border conflict. As the conflicts came to a close, they left behind a tragic legacy of an estimated 100,000 mines that remained throughout the region.

With the end of hostilities in both regions, a great effort has been put forth to restore peace and security to the nations of Central and South America. However, efforts to consolidate peace have been hindered by the devastating effects of landmines. Long after the conflicts have ended, the number of casualties of war continues to rise. Today, these weapons, once used to target soldiers, continue to claim civilian victims. In many areas, the local population lives in fear of this threat, and the re-establishment of normal patterns of life remains elusive.

Apart from the fear, pain and suffering caused by landmines, they are also to blame for many socio-economic problems faced by the rural population. Large areas of land remain unusable, placing a particular burden on zones where agriculture is the main source of support. The hindrance of agricultural development by landmines limits employment opportunities in affected areas and has left entire communities isolated and economically depressed. But despite the increased risk of living and working in or near mine-infested areas, population pressures force many people to remain.

The continued presence of landmines severely inhibits efforts to consolidate peace and strengthen of democracy. Where mines exist, the establishment or reestablishment of government services is problematic. Fear of mines delays the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes and deprives them of usable land, increasing demographic pressure on available areas and weakening the conditions needed to establish the socio-economic underpinnings for peace and democracy.

On an international level, a growing awareness of the mine problem has fueled the realization of an effort to assist countries affected by this continuing tragedy. The fundamentally humanitarian task of demining is of the utmost urgency because of its implications for the safety and economic well being of citizens of the region. The removal of mines is also an unavoidable and priority component of the peace process, economic development, regional integration, and the consolidation of democracy in Central and South America.

MANUAL DE PROCEDIMIENTOS OPERATIVOS DE DESMINADO HUMANITARIO DE LA JID



Welcome About Us Programs College Multimedia Links	Programs: Overview \| Demining \| CSBMs \| Natural Disasters \| Conferences of A.F. \| Presidential Summits Demining: The Problem \| Concept \| Origin \| Training \| Logistics \| Results \| Links The Problem The Central American nations had been the theater for military conflicts in the decades leading up to the 1990s. During these conflicts, landmines where often used by both government military and guerrilla units. The majority of the mines used were produced industrially in countries outside the region, but some improvised, locally produced explosive devices were also used by irregular forces. In some cases, minefields were recorded with varying degrees of accuracy and detail. In many instances, minefields were intended as counter-infiltration measures in areas along national borders and were neither marked nor recorded. Mines were placed around key government or economic facilities, such as telecommunications installations, power lines, and bridges, as well as along trails and roads. Landmines were used in South America by Ecuador and Peru during a 1995, border conflict. As the conflicts came to a close, they left behind a tragic legacy of an estimated 100,000 mines that remained throughout the region. With the end of hostilities in both regions, a great effort has been put forth to restore peace and security to the nations of Central and South America. However, efforts to consolidate peace have been hindered by the devastating effects of landmines. Long after the conflicts have ended, the number of casualties of war continues to rise. Today, these weapons, once used to target soldiers, continue to claim civilian victims. In many areas, the local population lives in fear of this threat, and the re-establishment of normal patterns of life remains elusive. Apart from the fear, pain and suffering caused by landmines, they are also to blame for many socio-economic problems faced by the rural population. Large areas of land remain unusable, placing a particular burden on zones where agriculture is the main source of support. The hindrance of agricultural development by landmines limits employment opportunities in affected areas and has left entire communities isolated and economically depressed. But despite the increased risk of living and working in or near mine-infested areas, population pressures force many people to remain. The continued presence of landmines severely inhibits efforts to consolidate peace and strengthen of democracy. Where mines exist, the establishment or reestablishment of government services is problematic. Fear of mines delays the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes and deprives them of usable land, increasing demographic pressure on available areas and weakening the conditions needed to establish the socio-economic underpinnings for peace and democracy. On an international level, a growing awareness of the mine problem has fueled the realization of an effort to assist countries affected by this continuing tragedy. The fundamentally humanitarian task of demining is of the utmost urgency because of its implications for the safety and economic well being of citizens of the region. The removal of mines is also an unavoidable and priority component of the peace process, economic development, regional integration, and the consolidation of democracy in Central and South America. MANUAL DE PROCEDIMIENTOS OPERATIVOS DE DESMINADO HUMANITARIO DE LA JID Inter-American Defense Board \| 2600 NW 16th Street Washington, D.C. 20441 \| 202.939.6041