The situation in Bolivia

The Dominican Republic wishes to reiterate its deepest concern over the situation in the Plurinational State of Bolivia. We reiterate our rejection of the use of force in all its forms and manifestations, as well as of any attempt to alter or attack the constitutional order.

The Dominican Delegation wishes to express its concern over Decree 4078 of November 15, 2019, which was openly rejected by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). The Dominican Republic wishes to express its unreserved support for the working visit that the IACHR will make.

We insist on calling upon all actors in Bolivian society, as well as any external actor, to redirect their efforts toward a political dialogue among Bolivians and for Bolivians, one that brings calm to the entire people.

The Dominican Republic believes that the solution to the current crisis lies in dialogue and in the holding of free and transparent elections, called as soon as possible and under the order established by the Constitution and the laws of Bolivia.

We encourage the international community, and especially this Organization of American States, to accompany the Plurinational State of Bolivia for as long as it may require in order to overcome this moment of turbulence. As always, it is our country's intention to cooperate with any initiative that allows differences to be overcome through inclusive dialogue.

The Dominican Republic reiterates its call on political actors and national institutions to work on an electoral calendar that is realistic, viable and achievable and, in the process, to lay down the strident rhetoric that attacks and tends to denigrate, deepening the contradictions.

Finally, our region has a long historical and cultural tradition anchored in the ideas of great thinkers, liberators and eminent writers who were able to gather and express in their works and achievements our dreams and aspirations for peace, for peaceful coexistence and for a continent that is prosperous for all, because we face, as never before, multiple challenges and threats that summon us to think and rethink our geographic and cultural reality with our eyes set not on our differences or on a past of hegemonies that no longer exists and has no place. In short, we must see ourselves as one great continent, ensuring that none of us is left behind or set against the others over ideological questions or over a politics aimed at taking us back to what humanity has already overcome. What must unite us and bring us together is progress and peace.

Thank you very much.