The Organization of American States is the principal regional body of the Americas, linking thirty-five independent states from Canada to Argentina. Founded in 1948 by the Bogotá Charter, it is the world's oldest regional organisation, predating the OAU/AU, the Arab League's formal codification, and the European Union.
At a glance
- Founded: 1948 (Charter of the OAS signed in Bogotá, 30 April 1948)
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
- Official languages: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese
- Website: www.oas.org
Mission
The OAS Charter establishes four central pillars: democracy, human rights, security, and development. The Inter-American Democratic Charter of 2001 commits members to representative democracy as a condition of participation. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights protect rights across most of the hemisphere.
Structure
The General Assembly of foreign ministers is the supreme decision-making body, meeting once a year. The Permanent Council in Washington meets continuously, with each member represented. The General Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General, who serves a five-year term. Specialised conferences and agencies cover health (PAHO), agriculture (IICA), and other areas.
Member states
OAS has 34 member states. Membership current as of 2024-01.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United States
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Key facts
- Cuba's membership was suspended in 1962; the suspension was lifted by resolution in 2009 but Cuba has never resumed active participation.
- Honduras was suspended in 2009 after a coup, readmitted in 2011.
- Venezuela withdrew in 2017; the OAS rejected the withdrawal as unconstitutional and continues to recognise National Assembly delegates.
- The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), founded in 1902, is the oldest international health agency in the world and the regional WHO office for the Americas.
- The OAS supplied election-observation missions for most major elections in the region — its observer reports have repeatedly become flashpoints in disputed elections.
Historic milestones
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1890 | First International Conference of American States (Pan American Union) |
| 1948 | OAS Charter signed in Bogotá |
| 1959 | Inter-American Commission on Human Rights established |
| 1962 | Cuba suspended over communism |
| 2001 | Inter-American Democratic Charter signed |
| 2009 | Cuba's suspension lifted (membership not resumed) |
