Migrants and refugees in the Americas

Good afternoon, and thank you very much,

We express special thanks to the panelists; we have taken due note of their presentations. I begin with two criticisms of troubling tendencies in the approaches to irregular migration that have been evident here. First, irregular migration can be neither explained nor addressed through the prism of a double standard that favors or discriminates against migrants on the basis of their nationality, often for reasons of political convenience.

It is neither ethical nor just for resources to be allocated and emphasis placed on certain nationalities while others are marginalized or ignored. The assessment of migration crises must be impartial, focused on human needs and not on political agendas. Every human being deserves the same consideration and support in the search for safety and well-being, whatever passport he or she carries.

At certain moments, this very Organization and some States have shown these troubling inclinations. Second, we believe it is essential to recalibrate our perspective so that the safety of migrants in their communities of origin becomes one of the main objects of our attention. Do not misunderstand us: security must certainly be part of the analysis, but we cannot allow it to eclipse the situations of desperation and danger that drive people to undertake perilous journeys.

From the standpoint of the Dominican Republic, nowhere is this more palpable than in our neighbor, Haiti. The conditions of violence, persecution and extreme poverty in countries of origin are true emergencies that require attention and resources. These are the crises that set migration flows in motion and that, if left unaddressed, will go on forcing people to seek refuge beyond their borders.

We have listened with concern to the weight given, for example, to terrorism. Ambassadors, within the multitude of migrants seeking a new beginning, barely a handful have been flagged for possible connections to extremist groups. It is crucial, of course, that those individuals be identified and neutralized in order to guarantee the safety of all.

Nevertheless, we must resist the temptation to turn this into an obsession. Those who cling to that perspective need to reflect deeply. Experience has taught us that such an approach does not work; it did not solve the problems of the past and holds no promise of doing so in the future. Let us admit that it failed, and move on.

Again, Mr. Chair, the point is not that criminal activity should be overlooked; the point is to give each variable its proper weight, without rendering any crisis invisible, for there are not just one or two. By placing greater emphasis on the conditions of insecurity from which migrants come, we can begin to work together with the countries of origin to create safer and more stable conditions.

This is not only a matter of international responsibility; it is also a more effective strategy for reducing irregular migration in the long term. Supporting development and stability in those countries is an investment in a sustainable solution that benefits everyone. We must therefore advocate a more humane and strategic approach that recognizes the interconnection between the security of countries of origin and that of countries of destination. Only then can we hope to address the roots of the matter and produce lasting solutions that respect the dignity and rights of all people.

As I noted earlier, irregular migration obviously represents a singular challenge for our country. The situation in Haiti is without precedent and, as such, the consequences that flow from it are equally extraordinary. We face a humanitarian crisis that has overflowed the borders of one country and has for some time been knocking at the doors of the whole region.

Yet the capacity of a single country to respond to this situation has limits. The situation in Haiti is not simply a matter of political instability, of natural disasters or of security, as Ambassador Charles pointed out; it reflects a broad breakdown, in which the commitments and consensus needed to move forward have been evaded.

The Dominican Republic, aware of this reality, recognizes that leadership in Haiti must be a catalyst for rebuilding the social fabric and for creating a solid and just rule of law. Mr. Chair, before concluding I offer a brief reflection on the role of leadership in this whole migration crisis of the Americas.

The greatness of a country is measured not by the infallibility of its leaders but by its capacity to grow from its mistakes, to rise with dignity in the face of adversity. All our countries deserve leaders who put the future of their children above any personal sensitivity, who understand that true strength comes from the capacity to be vulnerable, to listen and to change.

Pride can inspire and unite, but without the guidance of a well-considered strategy and meticulous execution it can become an obstacle. Effective leaders must balance pride with humility, recognizing that solutions often require learning from others, collaborating and, at times, accepting outside help.

And now, to finish. We know that the migrant-receiving countries with the greatest capacity, facing challenges of their own, may hesitate to invest in the development of other countries. And that is understandable. But we must ask ourselves: what world do we want to leave to our children? International aid, though essential, often comes tied to conditions that may not match the real needs of the countries that receive it. This can lead to solutions that are not sustainable in the long term. For their part, the countries where these migration flows originate may resist foreign cooperation, seeing it as a threat to their sovereignty.

The real difficulty lies in aligning short-term and long-term objectives, and in the need for commitments from all the nations involved. We need a change of paradigm, one that recognizes that the stability and prosperity of the countries from which migrants come are of benefit to us all.

Reducing migratory pressure and creating global economic opportunity are not merely acts of generosity; they are investments in our collective security and prosperity. Today we issue another call to action. Not to isolated action, but to joint action, based on the understanding that our destinies are intrinsically connected.

History will remember us for the strength of our alliances and the breadth of our collaboration, not for the barriers we raised. Thank you very much.