The Organization of American States (OAS) convenes its 56th General Assembly in Panama this June 22–24 at a defining moment for our hemisphere. We are living through a period of profound complexity: democratic institutions are under strain, elections are being contested, organised crime threatens our societies, economic and social inequalities persist, and international cooperation is being put to the test. No one disputes that this juncture is testing our capacity to sustain the hope and optimism necessary to confront and overcome these challenges.

Yet it is precisely in moments such as these that multilateralism matters most. The OAS was created not for times of ease, but for moments of complexity, when dialogue must be the way to overcome division and collective solutions must be privileged above unilateralism. I believe in the OAS and in its capacity to bring nations together in dialogue, to transform shared principles into collective action and to deliver solutions that improve the lives of our citizens.

My vision for the OAS is grounded in an agenda for peace and security in the hemisphere, anchored in the organisation’s four pillars: democracy, human rights, security, and integral development. These are not abstract concepts. They are interdependent foundations for peace, stability, prosperity, and dignity for all across our region. I also firmly believe that we need to expand the democratic space in the Americas and strengthen, on the ground, the fundamental tenets and institutions of representative democracy. This requires a process of national and regional engagement that respects sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

Over the past year, we have worked to translate these principles into concrete action. In support of democracy, the OAS deployed 16 electoral observation missions across the hemisphere, reinforcing electoral integrity and public trust at critical moments. These missions continue to be among the organisation’s most visible and trusted contributions to democratic governance. We also responded decisively when democracy itself was at risk. A case in point is the Special Mission for the Strengthening of Democratic Institutions in Guatemala between 2025 and 2026, which played a constructive role during a period of profound institutional tension, helping preserve constitutional order and strengthen democratic institutions.

In the area of security, this past year, the OAS has accompanied member states in raising their game against transnational organised crime. It takes a network to confront a network, and the OAS provides it: every member state at the same table, with a political mandate to turn cooperation into sustained commitment and tangible results. For example, since 2019, seven countries have destroyed more than 90,000 firearms and 219 tonnes of ammunition with OAS support, and as the region’s drug markets spread synthetic drugs, the Early Warning System of the Americas has expanded from four active countries to 18.

Few challenges illustrate the urgency of hemispheric cooperation more clearly than Haiti. The OAS and its partners were instrumental in ensuring political continuity past February, when the Transitional Presidential Council’s mandate expired. We have resumed support for the issuance of national identification cards, and we have been on the ground strengthening the Haitian National Police’s operational capacity. The Haitian people deserve peace, functioning institutions and the opportunity to choose their leaders democratically. Our expectation is clear: Haiti must finally achieve the security conditions necessary to hold elections and obtain support for humanitarian assistance, something its citizens have been denied for more than a decade.

We have also been actively engaged with key actors regarding developments in Venezuela, where the need for a peaceful, democratic transition remains pressing. Venezuela’s recovery requires credible presidential and parliamentary elections and a process of re-institutionalisation that includes all Venezuelans. As in the case of Haiti, the OAS stands ready to support an inclusive agenda for peace and democracy for Venezuela, one that reinforces trust, legitimacy and hope for the future.

These efforts underscore a simple truth: the OAS is a platform for solutions. Its relevance lies in its ability to convene, mediate, accompany, and act, always in service of the peoples of the Americas.

This year’s General Assembly, hosted by Panama, carries special symbolic weight. The country is commemorating the Amphictyonic Congress of 1826, the meeting convened by Simón Bolívar to begin implementing his vision of hemispheric unity and cooperation. Nearly two centuries later, that vision remains unfinished, but no less of a priority. Bolívar’s spirit of unity inspires my expectations for the next General Assembly. I envision a General Assembly that reinforces unity and political dialogue, advances practical agreements that translate into deliverable results for our people, and strengthens the OAS as the main forum for cooperation and political engagement.

I know the challenges before us are real and complex, but so too is the potential of our region, its leaders and our people. Our hemisphere is rich in diversity, resilience and democratic aspiration. By working together, through dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect, we can build a hemisphere defined not by division, but by peace and prosperity for all.