ABSTRACT
Many Latin American heads of state, diplomats, and lawyers actively participated in the development of a permanent system of international justice. During the 1907 Hague Conference, half of the forty-four states were from the region and eager to promote an international court of justice.2 However, Ruy Barbosa, Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and head of his delegation, criticized the ‘Great Power representation’ proposal for the court because by institutionalizing world hierarchies, it violated the equality principle and would lead to decision deadlock and an arms race.3 Barbosa’s position brought him regional acclaim and the ‘Hague Eagle’ nickname.4 After that, most Latin Americans states ratified the 1907 Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes whereas no other non-European states ratified it until after World War II.5
