WikiPeru • The Encyclopedia of Peru
Playwright and actor
Novelist
Writer and poet
Volleyball player
Italian-Peruvian naturalist and geographer
Singer and percussionist
Last Inca emperor
Politician, former prime Minister
Journalist and TV host
Poet
Inca warrior
Actor and comedian
Biophysicist
Poet
Doctor and researcher
Businessman, Interbank group
Journalist and writer
Poet and writer
Singer and songwriter
Writer
Film director, Berlin Golden Bear winner
Football player
Writer and journalist
Doctor and scientist
Photograph
Chess player
Industrialist
Former general
Specialist in public health
Actress and singer
Afro-Peruvian music singer
Mathematician and engineer
Indigenous chronicler
Neurologist and anthropologist
Painter
Football player
National hero, military leader
Intellectual and reformer
Chef and entrepreneur
Fashion designer
Singer-songwriter
TV presenter
Marathon runner
Indigenous Peruvian chronicler
Theologian
Former national team captain
Economist and former health minister
Inca princess
Writer and television host
Folk musician
Poet and guerrilla
Former UN secretary-general
Chef, known for fusion cuisine
Football player
Peruvian aviation pioneer
Poet and artist
Marxist philosopher and writer
Industrialist and businessman
Novelist and ethnologist
Painter and muralist
Opera tenor
Fashion designer
Cardinal of Lima
Peruvian tennis player
Football coach
Leader of the indigenous rebellion
Military hero
War of the Pacific hero
The youngest mother in history
Politician
Creole music singer
Tennis player
Musician
Writer and politician
Politician and founder of the Christian Democratic Party
Founder of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae
Archaeologist and anthropologist
Military leader and politician
Television host
Actress and singer
Contemporary sculptor
Women’s rights activist
Beauty queen
Astrophysicist
Heroine of independence
Mathematician and archaeologist
Historian and anthropologist
Military figure and historical figure
Fashion photographer
Writer, Nobel Prize in Literature, Politician
Revolutionary leader
Environmental activist
Leader of the indigenous rebellion
Musician from Gaia band
War hero
Military leader and politician
Chef, known for Nikkei cuisine
Volleyball coach and former player
Environmental activist
Television personality
Writer
Football player
Epidemiologist and former health Minister
Inventor and aerospace pioneer
Soldier and inventor
Rock singer
Chef and co-owner of Central restaurant
Painter
Football player
TV presenter and actress
Actor
Writer and historian
Journalist and lawyer
Archaeologist, founder of Caral site
Monk and Saint
Saint, patron of Latin America
Physicist and engineer
World champion surfer
Actress
Oncologist
Singer, Latin Grammy winner
Former mayor of Lima
Singer
Actress
Former football player
Painter
Former football player
Painter
Inca leader
Archbishop, saint
Leader of the indigenous rebellion
Revolutionary indigenous leader
Diplomat and intellectual
Sculptor and painter
Political leader, founder of APRA
Lawyer and Former prime minister
Chef of Central restaurant
Former head of secret services
Popular singer
Fashion designer
Exotic music singer
Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, born on January 19, 1920, in Lima, Peru, is one of the most iconic figures in 20th-century international diplomacy. He is best known for serving as the fifth Secretary-General of the United Nations, a role he held from 1982 to 1991. A seasoned diplomat, advocate for peace, and human rights defender, he played a crucial role in several major international conflicts and was a key figure in the search for peaceful solutions to global tensions. His career exemplifies his unwavering commitment to international cooperation and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Javier Pérez de Cuéllar was born into a modest Peruvian family. Early on, he developed a strong interest in international affairs and law. After earning a law degree from the Catholic University of Lima, he joined Peru's diplomatic service in 1940. His diplomatic acumen and natural charisma quickly led him to hold important positions within Peru's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In the early years of his career, Pérez de Cuéllar served in various Peruvian embassies, including those in London, Paris, and Geneva. These international experiences helped him hone his negotiation skills and gain a deeper understanding of global geopolitics. By the early 1970s, he was considered one of Peru’s most promising diplomats.
The turning point in Javier Pérez de Cuéllar’s career came in 1981 when he was appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations, becoming the first South American to hold the position. His term began in January 1982, at a time of heightened geopolitical tension, with the Cold War, conflicts in the Middle East, and humanitarian crises around the world. From the outset, he displayed a calm, measured leadership style, emphasizing negotiation and mediation.
One of the first challenges he faced was the Falklands War between Argentina and the United Kingdom. Although he was unable to prevent the war, Pérez de Cuéllar played a crucial role in facilitating dialogue between the two nations. Despite the conflict, his reputation as a tenacious and impartial diplomat grew, solidifying his image as a staunch advocate of peace.
His tenure was marked by several major international events. In 1988, Pérez de Cuéllar played a key role in brokering a ceasefire between Iran and Iraq, ending an eight-year war that had claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. This achievement earned him international recognition and cemented his reputation as a peacemaker.
He was also instrumental in peace processes in Central America, particularly in Nicaragua, where conflicts between the Sandinistas and the Contras threatened regional stability. Pérez de Cuéllar actively supported the negotiations that led to the 1989 peace agreements, which marked the end of hostilities in the region.
One of the most defining moments of Javier Pérez de Cuéllar’s career was the end of the Cold War. While he was not directly responsible for the fall of the Iron Curtain, he played a crucial role in facilitating negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union, helping to create a climate conducive to de-escalation. Under his leadership, the UN also oversaw transitional processes in countries like Namibia, which gained independence in 1990 after years of colonial rule.
The success of his first term led to his re-election in 1986 for a second term as Secretary-General of the United Nations. During this period, Pérez de Cuéllar continued to focus on regional conflicts, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, where he sought to promote diplomatic solutions to ongoing crises. He was also a staunch advocate for human rights, striving to strengthen the UN's role in protecting vulnerable populations through peacekeeping initiatives.
After leaving his position at the UN in 1991, Pérez de Cuéllar returned to his home country of Peru, where he was welcomed as a hero. His commitment to peace and his integrity earned him the respect and admiration of many Peruvians. In 1995, he ran for president against Alberto Fujimori, although he did not win the election. Despite this setback, he continued to play an active role in both Peruvian and international politics.
Following his unsuccessful bid for the presidency, Pérez de Cuéllar continued to serve Peru as an ambassador and representative to various international organizations. He also acted as an advisor to several governments and international institutions, sharing his vast expertise in diplomacy and international relations. His commitment to international cooperation and peace never wavered, even after his official retirement from diplomacy.
Javier Pérez de Cuéllar remains a highly respected figure in global diplomacy. His calm approach, ability to navigate complex political landscapes, and unwavering commitment to peace make him one of the most respected Secretaries-General in UN history. His work not only helped resolve several international crises but also laid the foundation for modern diplomacy based on dialogue and multilateral cooperation.
Throughout his career, he received numerous international awards and honors for his efforts in promoting peace and cooperation. His memoirs and speeches are still studied by diplomats and students of international relations, reflecting the lasting impact of his work.
Javier Pérez de Cuéllar represents a model of integrity, dedication, and public service. His journey from humble beginnings in Peru to the international stage as Secretary-General of the United Nations inspires generations of diplomats and world leaders. His legacy as a peacebuilder and champion of human rights continues to resonate worldwide, making him one of the greatest diplomats of our time.