Guatemala: preliminary report of the Electoral Observation Mission

Mr. Chair,

Distinguished representatives,

Let me begin with a tribute to the people of Guatemala, who answered the call to the polls in a civic, peaceful and orderly manner.

We welcome and take note of the message of Foreign Minister Búcaro, in which he reaffirms the commitment of the Guatemalan executive branch to respect for democratic institutions.

Next, allow me to express our most sincere appreciation for the work of the OAS General Secretariat and of the Electoral Observation Mission, headed by Mr. Eladio Loizaga.

Their work is crucial to preserving and promoting the integrity of electoral processes in our region. We recognize their professionalism and fine tact in carrying forward the tasks entrusted to them.

They have once again demonstrated their commitment to democracy by deploying in Guatemala to observe and carefully analyze the first stage of the electoral process. They have, moreover, remained on the ground, following subsequent events.

It is in this context that we address you today, as the Dominican government did on July 13, to express our concern about recent events in our sister Republic of Guatemala.

In that regard, we have taken note of the report presented.

Mr. Chair,

The elections held last month in Guatemala are of great importance to the Guatemalan people and, indeed, to the entire region.

That is why we have been deeply concerned by the growing complications and challenges in the electoral process after citizens cast their votes.

In that connection, we believe that the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, as the highest electoral authority, must operate with full autonomy and independence in order to guarantee transparent and credible processes.

This is a fundamental democratic principle that all of us, as members of the international community, must respect and protect.

The strengthening and preservation of democratic institutions in our region is a shared responsibility.

For that reason, the Dominican Republic respectfully calls on those responsible for democratic institutions in Guatemala to guarantee that the candidates who received the most votes in the first round may compete on equal terms, and to recognize the right of citizens to express their sovereign will freely and transparently.

We warn that any form of intimidation or coercion that endangers the integrity of the democratic process, or threatens the safety of those who conduct it or take part in it in any capacity, is unacceptable.

We recall that it will never, never, be the time for high-sounding speeches that incite division among brothers and sisters, that undermine stability and peace, or that turn institutional mechanisms into instruments for ulterior ends unimaginable in a democracy.

None of those things is amusing, nor does any of them bode well.

The democratic stability of the Republic of Guatemala, like that of any nation, can be achieved only through strict respect for the constitution and the laws in force and, of course, through the vote.

Ambassadors,

This is an inviolable principle that no passing circumstance can be allowed to put at risk.

This is therefore no time for artifice to justify the unjustifiable, nor for using certain institutional spaces as shields from behind which to strike subtly, much less deliberately, at the will of the people.

We also wish to stress the importance of a healthy and considerate balance of powers.

Respectful dialogue among the branches of government is essential to maintaining institutional harmony and governability.

Mr. Chair,

We join the calls for prudence, recalling the importance of respect among the institutions of the State in any democracy, where dialogue must be the norm.

Institutional maturity must prevail over mistrust. And the voice and the vote of Guatemalans must always prevail.

Finally, we firmly believe in the capacity of Guatemala's institutional, political and social actors to overcome this juncture and to continue on their path toward development and democratic consolidation.

Thank you very much.