OEA - Informe CP INF. 11041 26 de 2026

OEA/Ser.G CP/INF. 11041/26 3 September 2026

Original: Textual

REMARKS BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL ON THE PRESENTATION OF THE REPORT OF THE HIGH-LEVEL MISSION OF OAS MEMBER STATES TO THE

PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA

(Delivered during the regular meeting of the Permanent Council held on September 3, 2026)

PERMANENT COUNCILREMARKS BY OAS SECRETARY GENERAL, ALBERT R. RAMDIN, AT THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE PERMANENT COUNCIL FOR THE PRESENTATION OF THE REPORT OF THE HIGH-LEVEL MISSION OF OAS MEMBER

STATES TO THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA

(September 3, 2026)

Distinguished Chair of the Permanent Council, Distinguished Permanent Representatives, Permanent Observers, Ambassadors, Assistant Secretary General, Ambassador Laura Gil,

I am pleased to present today the Report of the High -Level Mission of OAS Member States to the Plurinational State of Bolivia, undertaken on July 29 and 30, 2026, pursuant to the mandate established by the General Assembly in resolution AG/RES. 3052.

I would like to begin by thanking the member states that participated in the Mission —Argentina, Canada, Chile, Panama, Peru, the United States, and Uruguay—for their commitment and constructive engagement. I also wish to recognize the leadership of Panama in advancing this initiative.

Above all, I want to thank President Rodrigo Paz, Former Foreign Minister Fernando Aramayo, and the Government of Bolivia, and people of Bolivia for receiving the Mission with openness and for facilitating a broad dialogue with State institutions and a diverse representation of Bolivian society.

From the outset, I want to recall clearly the purpose that guided this Mission: The Mission was

the Government of Bolivia, and people of Bolivia for receiving the Mission with openness and for facilitating a broad dialogue with State institutions and a diverse representation of Bolivian society.

From the outset, I want to recall clearly the purpose that guided this Mission: The Mission was undertaken in support of Bolivia’s democratically elected authorities, the preservation of its democratic institutions, the respect for the will expressed by the Bolivian people through the ballot box, and the search for peaceful solutions within the country’s constitutional framework. This is the purpose that has guided the General Secretariat’s engagement throughout this process: to accompany Bolivia in upholding its constitutional order and respecting the democratic mandate, while helping create the conditions for political and social differences to be addressed peacefully, through democratic a nd institutional means.

At the same time, the General Assembly entrusted the Mission with engaging directly with State authorities and with representatives of Bolivia’s social, indigenous, labor, business, academic, media, and civil society sectors, following 53 days of social unrest and blockades that had placed considerable pressure on the country and its people.

During the visit, the Mission was able to ascertain that the Government pursued parallel dialogue efforts with mobilized sectors to address demands and progressively resolve points of conflict. These efforts resulted in a significant number of agreements, whose implementation and follow-up will be important to consolidating trust and preventing renewed tensions.

Our purpose was therefore not simply to assess what had occurred. It was to listen, to identify areas of convergence, and to consider how the inter-American community can support Bolivia in strengthening its democratic institutions and preventing a recurrence of such a crisis.- 2Over two days in La Paz and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, we heard from representatives of the Executive, Legislative, Electoral, and Judicial Branches; the Constitutional Court and the Office of the Prosecutor General; indigenous and peasant organizations; labor and mining sectors; civil society; journalists; the private sector; transport organizations; and many others.

As one would expect in a democratic society, we heard different perspectives regarding the causes,

Legislative, Electoral, and Judicial Branches; the Constitutional Court and the Office of the Prosecutor General; indigenous and peasant organizations; labor and mining sectors; civil society; journalists; the private sector; transport organizations; and many others.

As one would expect in a democratic society, we heard different perspectives regarding the causes, development, and consequences of the crisis. The ability to express those differences is part of democracy. But beyond those differences, one overarching pri nciple informed our discussions in La Paz and Santa Cruz: that Bolivia’s democracy, constitutional order, and popular sovereignty were the priority. Protecting democracy means respecting the government that citizens elected. It also means protecting democratic institutions, fundamental rights, and the ability of citizens to express legitimate concerns peacefully and within the law. And ultimately, it means protecting the well -being of the Bolivian people.

These principles provided the framework for the Mission’s findings and recommendations, beginning with a first fundamental conclusion: Bolivia’s democratic mandate and constitutional order must be respected. The Mission concluded that legitimate social and economic grievances are an inherent part of democratic life. Peaceful protest is a fundamental right. But those rights must be exercised within the democratic and constitutional framework. Violence, coercio n, threats to critical infrastructure, or efforts to alter democratically established mandates outside constitutional mechanisms cannot provide a legitimate or sustainable path for resolving political or social differences.

The Mission therefore recognizes both the right to peaceful protest and the responsibility to safeguard the rights of others, including the rights to life, health, food, freedom of movement, and access to essential services. These principles are not contra dictory. They are mutually reinforcing elements of democratic life.

Second, dialogue must remain at the center of Bolivia’s efforts to consolidate peace and democratic stability. The Mission recognized the dialogue undertaken by the Government with different mobilized sectors during and after the crisis, as well as the agreements reached through those efforts.

This experience demonstrates precisely why democratic institutions need permanent and effective channels for dialogue. Democracy cannot be reduced to elections alone. Elections confer democratic

democratic stability. The Mission recognized the dialogue undertaken by the Government with different mobilized sectors during and after the crisis, as well as the agreements reached through those efforts.

This experience demonstrates precisely why democratic institutions need permanent and effective channels for dialogue. Democracy cannot be reduced to elections alone. Elections confer democratic legitimacy and establish the mandate that must be respected. But democratic governance also requires institutions capable of listening, mechanisms through which citizens can participate, and the capacity to address legitimate disagreements before they escalate into confrontation.

The challenge now is to build on the dialogue that has already taken place and strengthen mechanisms capable of anticipating tensions, facilitating communication, and delivering solutions within Bolivia’s institutional framework.

Third, the Mission concluded that Bolivia has an opportunity to move from crisis toward greater social cohesion and national consensus. The challenges that emerged during the unrest are connected to deeper economic, social, and institutional factors. Addressing them will require sustained dialogue, effective participation, including that of indigenous and peasant communities, and institutions capable of anticipating and managing conflict before it escalates.- 3We heard repeatedly that Bolivians do not want to experience again what occurred during those 53 days. That is perhaps one of the strongest points of convergence identified by the Mission. The social, human, economic, and reputational costs were simply too high.

Fourth, democratic stability and development must advance together. The Mission heard significant concern regarding the economic consequences of the blockades, particularly for productive sectors, transportation, tourism, gastronomy, and communities whose livelihoods depend on the free circulation of people and goods.

Bolivia now faces the challenge of restoring confidence, strengthening economic resilience, expanding opportunities, and creating conditions conducive to investment and sustainable development. Democracy must ultimately be capable of delivering tangible improvements in people’s lives. Political stability, institutional confidence, economic opportunity, and social well-being reinforce one another.

Distinguished Permanent Representatives, these findings inform the recommendations contained in the report. Taken together, the recommendations are intended not simply to respond to the events of May

Democracy must ultimately be capable of delivering tangible improvements in people’s lives. Political stability, institutional confidence, economic opportunity, and social well-being reinforce one another.

Distinguished Permanent Representatives, these findings inform the recommendations contained in the report. Taken together, the recommendations are intended not simply to respond to the events of May and June, but to strengthen Bolivia’s capacity to preven t future crises, protect its democratic institutions, and address political and social differences through peaceful and institutional mechanisms.

In this spirit, the Mission recommends continuing and broadening dialogue among political and social actors, with particular attention to early conflict prevention and the peaceful resolution of disputes. It calls for effective participation by indigenous and peasant communities in decisions that directly affect them and for greater coordination between national and subnational authorities.

The report also underscores the importance of protecting freedom of expression and journalism and advancing legislation on access to public information. It recommends continuing investigations into acts of violence committed during the unrest, ensuring accountability while fully respecting due process and judicial guarantees. The Mission also recognizes the value of strengthening the Office of the Ombudsperson, including its capacities for conflict prevention, mediation, and the protection of human rights. It further identifies the importance of greater transparency in the justice system and of strengthening public confidence in institutions responsible for upholding the rule of law.

Finally, the report highlights the need for economic recovery measures capable of generating confidence, encouraging investment, and creating the conditions for sustainable development.

There is also a broader lesson for our Hemisphere. Weakening democratic institutions does not occur in isolation. Political instability and institutional fragility can create conditions that are exploited by organized crime and can ultimately have conseque nces beyond national borders. Strong democratic institutions are therefore not only a matter of democratic governance; they are also an essential component of national and regional security.

As heard by some of Bolivia’s stakeholders, the challenges confronting our member states today increasingly cross institutional and national boundaries. Organized crime, illicit trafficking, corruption, violence, and other transnational threats can exploit precisely those environments in which institutions

component of national and regional security.

As heard by some of Bolivia’s stakeholders, the challenges confronting our member states today increasingly cross institutional and national boundaries. Organized crime, illicit trafficking, corruption, violence, and other transnational threats can exploit precisely those environments in which institutions are under pressure and citizens have lost confidence in the State.

Strengthening democracy and strengthening security therefore cannot be treated as separate objectives; this is why both are key pillars of the work of our Organization. In this regard, the General Secretariat4stands ready to facilitate technical cooperation with Bolivia, including with interested Member States, aimed at strengthening national capacities where the Bolivian authorities identify such support as useful.

Permanent Representatives, the Mission believes that Bolivia has an opportunity to transform a difficult period into a foundation for stronger institutions, greater social cohesion, and more durable mechanisms for democratic dialogue. The OAS stands ready to accompany that process.

At the request of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, and working with interested member states, the General Secretariat is ready to provide technical support, including, where appropriate, preventive observation and accompaniment measures, to support the timely and effective implementation of the recommendations contained in this report.

That is precisely where the Organization can add value: by helping national institutions succeed; not by imposing solutions, but by facilitating dialogue; and not only by responding to crises, but by helping prevent them.

This is also, in my view, what effective multilateralism should mean.

Our Organization must be capable of acting when democratic institutions are under pressure. It must stand clearly on the side of constitutional order and the sovereign will expressed by citizens. And at the same time, it must be capable of listening, building bridges, facilitating dialogue, and helping member states develop their own sustainable solutions.

The experience in Bolivia demonstrates that these responsibilities are not mutually exclusive. They are part of the same commitment.

I said in June that protecting Bolivian democracy is protecting democracy in the Americas. I believe

member states develop their own sustainable solutions.

The experience in Bolivia demonstrates that these responsibilities are not mutually exclusive. They are part of the same commitment.

I said in June that protecting Bolivian democracy is protecting democracy in the Americas. I believe that today this message is even more relevant. What happens to democracy in one member state matters to all of us. Respect for the sovereign will of citize ns in one country strengthens that principle throughout our Hemisphere. And when the inter -American community acts collectively to defend democratic institutions while helping create conditions for dialogue, stability, and development, we strengthen the credibility of our entire democratic system.

Bolivia’s stability, therefore, matters beyond Bolivia.

Its success in consolidating democratic governance, preserving constitutional order, strengthening the rule of law, and building a more peaceful and prosperous society contributes to the stability and democratic resilience of our Hemisphere as a whole. I therefore address the Permanent Council in that spirit: not simply as an account of a Mission that has concluded, but as a basis for continued engagement. Because the visit may be over, but our responsibility to accompany Bolivia continues.

The visit may be over, but our responsibility to accompany Bolivia, at its request, in implementing these recommendations and strengthening its democratic institutions continues.

I thank once again the Government and people of Bolivia, the Member States that participated in the Mission, and all those who shared their perspectives with us.- 5And I reaffirm the commitment of the General Secretariat to work with Bolivia and with this Permanent Council in defense of democracy, constitutional order, peaceful coexistence, and the well -being of all Bolivians.

Thank you.