Chile-Peru tensions reignite

Chile and Peru have a long history of animosity ever since both countries faced each other in the War of the Pacific back in the 19th-century. Hard feelings between the neighbors have lingered on even serving as the butt of jokes in these outtakes for Don Francisco’s program several decades ago.

Relations between Chile and Peru have markedly improved over the past few years though there have been some disagreements. In the most recent incident, Peruvian General Edwin Donayre’s not-so-smart comments have led to a diplomatic crisis between both countries:

Donayre made the remarks in 2006 or 2007 at a party at a friend's house. The video was downloaded to YouTube in February and surfaced a week ago to wider attention when an independent Peruvian member of Congress Gustavo Espilnoza sent copies to Chilean counterparts.

"We are not going to let Chileans pass by," Donayre says in the amateur-quality video as he offers a toast. "Chilean who enters will not leave. Or will leave in a coffin. And if there aren't sufficient coffins, there will be plastic bags."

Donayre has stood by his remarks claiming that they were done at a “private gathering” and shouldn’t have been made public. Chile’s government has called for Donayre to be fired from his post while Peruvian President Alan Garcia replied that Peru will not accept being pressured by a foreign country.

In the end, let’s hope cooler heads prevail and tensions can soon simmer down.
Sources- The Latin Americanist, YouTube, Xinhua, CNN, MercoPress