South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone: The Latin American Perspective

The article analyses the current state and the nearest prospects for the development of the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone (ZOPACAS), which unites the Global South states from the viewpoint of participation of Latin American countries in the initiative. The authors aim to clarify the internal and international aspects of ZOPACAS' activities, describe its members' approach to the new non-traditional threats, and clear up the views of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay on security issues in the South Atlantic. The choice of countries is explained by the authors’ intention to trace the evolution of Latin American states’ approaches to security. Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay are recognized internationally for their diplomatic efforts and initiatives in the maintenance of peace and security, not only in Latin America but also worldwide. The common approaches and the unity of views on security issues is the key factor that led these Latin American states to the concept of establishing a new South Atlantic co-operation structure. The foundation of ZOPACAS was the result of the Antarctic Treaty (of 1959), the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (of 1961) and the Treaty of Tlatelolco (of 1967), which formed the basis for the idea of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and Antarctica. In the article, the authors used such methods of historical analysis as the comparative method, the retrospective method, the problem-chronological and systematic approach. The methods of content and event analysis were used in working with documents. In their research, the authors rely on a broad range of sources, including declarations and resolutions adopted at ZOPACAS ministerial meetings and at the UN. The study explores the strategies and concepts of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. The authors also refer to foreign and national studies on the subject. The authors conjecture that Latin American countries play a key role in ZOPACAS, setting the agenda of the initiative. At the same time, the authors note that the interests of the three countries in the forum vary considerably: While Brazil participates in the association's activities with the aim of establishing itself as a key player in the region, Uruguay uses ZOPACAS to strengthen regional security, and Argentina attempts to resolve the Malvinas issue. At the same time, the “institutional deficit” of the association prevents member countries from using the initiative’s full potential. Such a situation turns into periodic “oblivion” of the format, which in the long term raises doubts about further existence of ZOPACAS. The article is divided into two chapters and the conclusion. The first chapter examines the activities of ZOPACAS from a historical perspective, focusing on the outcomes of the ministerial meetings and analyzing its results. The second chapter focuses on Latin American states' activities in the development of the initiative.