Pachacútec Incident

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The Pachacútec Incident occurred in July 1991, creating a crisis in Peru-Ecuador relations and adding to the tension that would ultimately lead to the Cenepa War in 1994.

The Peruvian army had been operating an outpost called "Pachacútec" along the Condor range near the border of Ecuador. Simultaneously, Ecuador was operating an outpost called Etza on what it believed to be its side of the border. Both countries claimed that both outposts forts were located within their own borders. Although the crisis was defused the following month with the signing of a Pacto de Caballeros (gentlemen's agreemen), by which both sides committed themselves to abandon these posts and separate their forces, the aftermath of the incident saw both countries accuse each other of violating the accord and reinforcing their military presence in the disputed area.