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OAS REMEMBERS SIMON BOLIVAR, 221 YEARS AFTER HIS BIRTH

Simón Bolívar, his exploits as “Liberator” of South American nations, and the impact of his vision on hemispheric development took center stage at the Organization of American States today. Bolivar’s military victories led eventually to independence for Bolivia, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

Paying homage to the Venezuelan-born hemispheric hero on the 221st anniversary of his birth, July 24, member state ambassadors reflected, during a specially convened OAS Permanent Council session, on hemispheric developments in light of Bolivar’s vision of a united hemisphere. The protocolary session of the Permanent Council was preceded by a wreath-laying ceremony at a Bolívar statue in a park across from the OAS Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Hailing Bolivar “the man, individual, statesman, strategist, politician, diplomat and champion of independence and freedom,” the Permanent Council’s Chair, Nicaragua’s Ambassador Carmen Marina Gutierrez, declared that “Bolivar’s ideals serve as a light and guide to our renewed commitment in the Americas to continue building a hemisphere based on freedom, democracy, development, peace and prosperity.”

In his historical analysis, Ambassador Horacio Serpa of Colombia cited Bolívar as one of the most important personalities of the Bolivarian countries. He recalled how, although “Simón Bolívar lived through tumultuous times,” Bolívar called three or four congresses to discuss the constitutional sense of the then incipient republics. The Colombian diplomat also spoke about the enormous respect The Liberator earned among his contemporaries.

Canada’s Ambassador Paul Durand said although Canada was not liberated by Bolívar, “Canada and Canadians readily identify with his heroic qualities and his bold vision.” He went on to say, “The legacy left by El Libertador is tightly linked to the OAS and its raison d’être and therefore warrants our recognition.” Durand asserted that “much of our current efforts and objectives are based on the fundamental Bolivarian aim of regional cooperation and unity.”

Speaking on behalf of the Central American nations, El Salvador’s Ambassador Abigail Castro de Pérez declared that “true homage to Bolívar means continuing to write history by picking up from the paragraph where he left off.” She underscored his mission as offering people a land of freedom and an environment conducive to self development and realization of their just aspirations, as set forth in the preamble to the OAS Charter.

Meanwhile, Ambassador John Maisto, the United States Permanent Representative, paid his own tribute to the South American hero, and read excerpts from the Bicentennial Proclamation then US President Reagan issued 21 years ago, emphasizing how Bolívar’s “burning desire for freedom could not be extinguished.” That Proclamation noted as well that “his vision of a united Americas continues to inspire new generations of citizens in every country of the hemisphere.”

And finally, Grenada’s Ambassador Denis Antoine spoke on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations, pointing to the vast record of Bolívar’s thought on politics, governance and a host of issues—“principles which are as relevant today as they were at his birth 221 years ago.” Antoine singled out persistent problems in the hemisphere, such as social and economic inequity, the “many contentious, unresolved boundary disputes,” crime, and disease, and wondered what Bolivar would say about them today.

Reference: E-115/04