Media Center

Press Release

THE OAS COMMEMORATES THE ANNIVERSARY OF SIMON BOLIVAR

The Organization of American States (OAS) paid tribute today to the memory of the liberator Simon Bolivar on the 224th anniversary of his birth, during a specially convened Permanent Council meeting. The Assistant Secretary General, Albert R. Ramdin, the Chair of the Permanent Council, Deborah Mae-Lovell, and the Representative of Venezuela to the OAS, Jorge Valero Briceño, highlighted in their remarks the liberator’s vision and the impact it had on the union of the hemisphere.

Hailing Bolivar as one of the “most recognizable figures in the struggle for human dignity,” the Assistant Secretary General reflected upon the leader’s life achievements, recalling that his military victories led eventually to independence for Bolivia, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.

“His resistance and the significance of his contribution to the configuration of what today represents the Americas are not merely moments of interests for the history books, but part of what cements our hemisphere today: an Americas forged through solidarity and awareness of a common purpose and shared destiny and also increasingly shared values,” Ramdin said.

Ramdin also noted that Simon Bolivar’s vision and aspirations must “guide our commitment to strengthening and passing on to future generations the values and principles of peace, security and human security through development.”

The Chair of the OAS political body, Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda, Deborah Mae-Lovell underscored that Bolivar’s vision constituted a precursor of the OAS Charter and inspired many of its principles. “The liberator Simon Bolivar guided us towards goals of justice and dignity based on principles of freedom, political independence, and educational opportunity. This has greatly contributed to our understanding of the concept of an inter-American community of nations and the establishment of the sound foundation on which the OAS stands today,” she said.

For his part, the Representative of Venezuela, Jorge Valero, centered his remarks on the base of the social and political doctrine of Simon Bolivar, focusing in particular on human rights, equity and equality of men, as well as the right to freedom of expression.

"Bolivar's creed is still holds true today. His ideas best illustrate human rights as an unfinished job, in the quest for an equal, free and democratic society,” noted the Venezuelan diplomat.

Prior to the meeting, the OAS Assistant Secretary General, accompanied by the Chair of the Permanent Council and members of the diplomatic corps, held a brief wreath-laying ceremony at a statute of Bolivar just outside OAS Headquarters building.

Reference: E-180/07