Learn Spanish (Latin America): El viejo vínculo entre ellos evita el conflicto. - The longtime bond between them prevents conflict.

In Spanish, placing certain adjectives before the noun changes their meaning to be more abstract or subjective. Here, viejo vínculo means a longtime or longstanding bond. If we put it after the noun (vínculo viejo), it would mean a physically old or aged bond, which is not the intended meaning for a relationship.

Doesn't evita mean "avoids"? Why is it translated as "prevents" here?

The verb evitar means both "to avoid" and "to prevent." When a person does it, it usually translates as "avoid" (like avoiding a bad neighborhood). When a thing or situation does it, such as a strong bond stopping a fight from happening, "prevent" is the most natural English translation.

Why is there an el before conflicto, when the English translation is just "prevents conflict"?

In Spanish, when you talk about abstract concepts or general things like conflict, peace, or love, you almost always need to include the definite article. English drops the article for general concepts, but Spanish requires it.

Why does vínculo have an accent mark?

The accent mark shows that the spoken stress falls on the first syllable. It is also crucial for distinguishing the noun vínculo (bond) from the verb vinculo (I link or I bind), which does not have an accent mark and has its spoken stress on the second syllable.