Chile and Peru

If Chile and Peru are not quarrelling about the origins of Pisco, it's maritime borders, or the intemperate remarks of Peruvian generals about sending their southerly neighbors home in plastic bags, or any other subject under the hot Atacama Desert sun. For well over a hundred years the two have engaged in cheap shots, snubs, the sheltering of would be coup plotters, and all out war with each other.

Of late, the belligerents are at odds over the alleged discovery of a spying operation conducted by Chile which led to the arrest of a mid-ranking Peruvian Air Force officer. Peru's President, Alan Garcia, accused Chile of acting like a dictatorial pseudo-republic. Chile's outgoing President, Michelle Bachelet, has called the charges offensive and said that Chile is not in the business of spying.

South America's foreign affairs and defense ministers will meet on Friday in Ecuador. We'll check in to see if a smack-down ensues.