Organization of American States

History
In 1948, 21 nations of the hemisphere signed the OAS Charter, affirming their commitment to common goals and their respect for each nation’s sovereignty. They also adopted the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, the first international statement of its kind.

But the idea of inter-American cooperation dates back much further. In the 1820s, Simón Bolívar envisioned a region “united in heart.” In 1890, nations of the region formed the Commercial Bureau of American Republics, which evolved into the Pan American Union and later into the OAS. Since 1948, the Organization of American States has expanded to include the nations of the English-speaking Caribbean and Canada, giving the OAS a broader perspective that encompasses the entire hemisphere.

Member States

All 35 independent countries of the Americas have ratified the OAS Charter and belong to the Organization. Cuba remains a member, but its government has been excluded from participation in the OAS since 1962.

OAS Member States

Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bolivia
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba (*)
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 of America
Uruguay
Venezuela

(*) By resolution of the Eigth Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (1962) the current Government of Cuba is excluded from participation in the OAS.