Dionisio Gutiérrez, President of Fundación Libertad y Desarrollo met with the President of the Republic of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado, to discuss the integrative process needed for Central America.
Gutiérrez began indicating that integration is an important step to impulse the development of Central American countries: “Within this political, social, and economical chaos that our nations are experiencing, it is important to aim higher and further; where the statesmen set their eyes. The future and destiny of Central America promise a better future if we construct a regional community, starting with an economical and then political integration.”
President Carlos Alvarado agreed and added a reflection on the role that SICA (Sistema de Integración Centroamericana) has had to reach its goal: “In many occasions, the organs of SICA are abstractions that do not touch the lives of Central Americans. We must target those common points that improve the life of our people; that’s where the agenda must be aimed. Once the citizens of Central American countries begin to see agile procedures, economic growth, cooperation, and positive environmental changes, they will support other integrative processes.”
Furthermore, Gutiérrez approached the issue of authoritarian governments that have consolidated in the region. He pointed out the importance of political Hispanic leaders to raise their voices in rejection: “The abandonment that Venezuela has suffered from the international community, and the human drama that such country experiences, as well as Nicaragua, demand the voices of new leaders to be heard in the whole continent to promote an action”.
On the need of leaderships, President Alvarado added: “The main risk for democracies in our region has been the silence of reasonable and compassionate voices; the fear of defending democratic principles and values; the silence of the great majority of people whom today see with insensibility many of the manifestations that take place in countries like Nicaragua.”
Dionisio Gutiérrez ended the meeting reminding that “rescuing politics is the ineludible obligation of citizens” and provided a message to President Alvarado: “We wish you success in your battles and to achieve the balance between motivating investment and economic growth to accomplish your commitment of attending social and political situations in your country.”
Gutiérrez took advantage of the visit to interview President Carlos Alvarado for the TV Show, Razón de Estado. Watch it in the following link: https://www.fundacionlibertad.com/articulo/razon-de-estado-integracion-centroamericana
