The Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) recently made a powerful Declaration of Solidarity for Bonaire, presented by Member of Parliament of the Dominican Republic Hon. Catalina Olea Salazar.
PARLACEN, the regional parliamentary body of Central America and the Caribbean, brings together elected representatives from its member states — Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama — as well as associate members including Argentina, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia — to promote political cooperation, human rights, and regional development.
The support and solidarity of Central, South American, and Caribbean nations for relisting Bonaire on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories underscores the urgent need to protect the island’s identity, language, and cultural heritage. Since 2010, when Bonaire was incorporated into the Dutch Constitution without the consent of its people, the proportion of native Bonaireans has reportedly fallen from 80% to 30% today, reflecting significant demographic and cultural impacts.
This declaration joins other recent actions, including those of Parlasur — the Parliament of the South American Mercosur bloc, with full members Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela, and associate members Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname — in December 2024, reflecting the continuous advocacy and dedication of James Finies and the Bonaire Human Rights Organization on behalf of the people of Bonaire.
The declaration for Bonaire in Guatemala City during the plenary assembly of PARLACEN emphasizes that dignity and self-determination are universal rights, not internal matters of colonial powers. It calls on the governments and parliaments of Latin America and the Caribbean to stand firmly against all forms of colonial domination. Supporting Bonaire is therefore not only an act of solidarity — it is a moral duty grounded in justice, democracy, and human dignity.
“We thank Ms. Olea Salazar and PARLACEN for this important step,” said James Finies. “Relisting Bonaire at the UN is a critical move to safeguard our culture, language, and heritage, and to address the ongoing challenges faced by our community.”
After more than 965 days on the road, BHRO remains committed to working with international and regional partners to safeguard the well-being of the Bonairean people and preserve their cultural identity.
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