The situation in Guatemala

Mr. Chair,

Mr. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, Mario Búcaro,

Permanent Representatives, Observers,

Mr. Secretary General,

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Dominican Republic is grateful for the convening of this special meeting to address matters of cardinal importance concerning the situation in the Republic of Guatemala.

We wish to express our sincere thanks for the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, and for the remarks of the Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Tania Reneaum, and of Ambassador Eladio Loizaga, Chief of the Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States deployed in Guatemala, and for the information they provided, of which we have taken due note.

Mr. Chair,

To begin, we extend our congratulations to the people for their participation in the elections and to the President-elect of the Republic of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, on his victory. We all hope that his leadership will give renewed impetus to democracy in Guatemala. We likewise welcome the assurances given by the Guatemalan authorities for the transition process.

As for the panelists, their detailed and rigorous reports are a timely and invaluable contribution to understanding the electoral process and the situation today.

With regard to the recent resolution issued by the IACHR, which granted precautionary measures, it shows the seriousness and urgency of the situation. The protection of life and personal integrity are basic pillars of any democratic society. The proactive response of the IACHR to the threats and risks identified sets an encouraging precedent in the upholding of fundamental values.

As for the report of the Electoral Observation Mission, Ambassador Loizaga, you shed light on the course of the entire process to date, making it possible to understand an institutional, legal and factual reality of tremendous complexity which, if not followed closely, can confuse the most distinguished of observers.

You leave us a clear message for reflection on the crucial role of institutions with sufficient guarantees for democratic consolidation.

In short, the rigor and depth with which the bodies of this Organization have addressed the situation in Guatemala show an unbending commitment to human rights and democracy in our region. Those findings serve as an indispensable tool for informed decision-making, and we applaud the work of the IACHR and of the Mission.

Dear colleagues,

With regard to the declaration presented today, our delegation co-sponsored this document and gave it its full support. After thorough analysis, we consider that the draft strikes an appropriate balance between validating the electoral process and attending to the challenges that still persist.

It highlights, with precision, the need to respect the rule of law, the separation of powers and the civil and political rights of Guatemalans, while recognizing the crucial role of institutions in building a stronger democracy and offering the friendly accompaniment of the Organization through the Secretary General.

Because for us, electoral justice and electoral institutions must not only be impartial; they must also be perceived as such in order to safeguard public trust in democratic institutions.

The timing with which each institutional actor moves, and the precedence each takes at every turn, must find the right balance so as to avoid disturbing the autonomy and independence of the electoral authority.

Those basic principles of autonomy and independence presuppose rules of competence for each institution. In electoral periods, a careful weighing of the moment at which each actor steps onto the field, and in which areas, is crucial.

Otherwise gray areas arise, with worrying discretion and, at times, confusion.

Allow me to use a sporting metaphor to sum up.

The electoral process is often compared to a race toward democracy; yet at times this race more closely resembles a hurdles race in which, for no apparent reason, the obstacles seem to multiply on every stretch.

But we must remember that at the Olympics the hurdles are designed to be a fair and equal challenge, and predictable. In the 400-meter hurdles, for example, there are 10 hurdles, evenly spaced and of the same dimensions; not 11, not 12… all of them 36 inches high for men and 30 for women.

But if hurdles are raised unexpectedly, irregular in their height and spacing, that is neither fair nor legitimate.

Obstacles of this kind, especially if they affect some to the detriment of others, endanger the democratic principles that all of us here hold to be inalienable.

It is counterproductive for any electoral process to be clouded by barriers that limit equality of opportunity and compromise the integrity of its results.

In such a scenario we cannot allow ourselves to be mere spectators; the mandate of democracy demands that we be active participants. And that is why we are here.

Like athletes, who do not stop at the hurdles on their way to winning the medal, neither can we stop before situations that may threaten democracy in our region.

It is in this context that the Dominican Republic reaffirms its commitment to the principles of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and reaffirms its support for the people of Guatemala at this crucial moment for their democratic future.

The OAS has played, and must continue to play, a central role in strengthening democracy in our region. It is therefore imperative that this Organization take a proactive part in this new post-electoral stage.

To conclude, the Dominican Republic reaffirms its commitment to the principles of democracy, justice and human rights throughout the region.

Thank you very much.