SANTIAGO – Governments and heads of the states across Latin America have mourned the death of former United Nations secretary-general and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Kofi Annan.
Annan, who has died aged 80 after a short illness, was a widely respected diplomat, holding the position of U.N. secretary-general from 1997 to 2006. He was also chair of The Elders, an independent group of world leaders founded by Nelson Mandela that sought peace and the respect of human rights around the globe.
Chile’s President Sebastián Piñera took to Twitter to pay rich tribute to the late Kofi Annan.
“With the death of former UN secretary General Kofi Annan, the world loses a tireless fighter for peace and justice. My heartfelt condolences to your family and friends. Our duty is to keep your testimony and teachings alive,” he wrote on his official Twitter handle.
Con la muerte de Kofi Annan, ex secretario general de Naciones Unidas, el mundo pierde a un incansable luchador por la paz y la justicia. Mis sinceras condolencias a sus familiares y amigos. Nuestro deber es mantener vivo su testimonio y enseñanzas
— Sebastian Piñera (@sebastianpinera) August 18, 2018
Former Chilean president, Michelle Bachelet also tweeted her sympathies, stating “Today the world lost a promoter of peace and dialogue. We will miss his leadership and human quality.”
Envío mis condolencias a los familiares y amigos de @KofiAnnan, que siempre luchó por la igualdad de derechos y oportunidades de las personas. Hoy el mundo pierde a quien fuera un promotor de la paz y el diálogo. Extrañaremos su liderazgo y calidad humana.
— Michelle Bachelet (@mbachelet) August 18, 2018
In an official communication, Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Culture said that “In the course of his years at the United Nations and after his retirement, Kofi Annan demonstrated his profound commitment to peace and his tireless humanitarian calling.”
Bolivian President Evo Morales on Twitter said, “We are very sad for the passing of Kofi Annan …Our condolences to his family.”
We are very sad for the passing of Kofi Annan, former UN secretary general and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. We'll always remember with gratitude his acknowledgement of the demand of #SeaForBolivia and his efforts to further the dialogue with Chile. Our condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/Tbm4ihFC5r
— Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) August 18, 2018
The President said Bolivian will always remember with gratitude Annan’s acknowledgement of Bolivia’s demand for sea access, and his efforts to further the dialogue with Chile.
Similarly, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, due to leave office November 30, said via Twitter that Annan was a “Great leader and extraordinary human being. His contributions to peace and human rights are his legacy.”
México lamenta el sensible fallecimiento de Kofi Annan, ex Secretario General de la ONU y Premio Nobel de la Paz 2001. Gran líder y extraordinario ser humano. Sus aportaciones a favor de la paz y los derechos humanos son su legado.
— Enrique Peña Nieto (@EPN) August 18, 2018
Annan passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning in a hospital in Bern, Switzerland surrounded by his wife and three children.
