Audio: OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza on Democracy in Latin America

May 14, 2008

Speaking at an AS/COA event on the role of the Organization of the American States (OAS) in advancing Latin American democracy, Secretary General José Miguel Insulza emphasized the OAS goal of building consensus to resolve regional conflicts. He highlighted three critical issues confronting the region in which the OAS can play a crucial part: tensions between Colombia and Ecuador resulting from the March 2008 attack on a FARC camp inside Ecuadorian territory, the vote for autonomy in Bolivia's Santa Cruz province, and the rising price of food.

Download an mp3 of the secretary general's remarks.

"It is not only ideology or the rise of populist movements—it is the legacy of wasted opportunities, the persistence of poverty and injustice, the feelings of insecurity, the lack of good governance—that harm many of our young democracies in these new times," said Insulza. "We must understand and attack the structural factors that give rise to these problems if we want to achieve sustainable solutions." Insulza characterized his and the OAS role in Latin America as that of a bombero (firefighter) putting out fires across the region. He also detailed the importance of the OAS' democratic charter.

Read an AS/COA Online interview with Secretary General Insulza.

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