The OAS Needs To Be Replaced

Richard S. Dunn – September 26, 2021

Since its formation by the United States in 1948, as a means of extending its sphere of influence and undoubtedly as an affront to the Soviet Union; the Organization of American States (OAS) has apparently outlived its usefulness. The formation of the OAS was tainted from the start. The United States is not going to set up any organization that promotes nation sovereignty and self-determination; instead, it aims to extend its ideological and material hegemony wherever possible. The OAS which also includes the US and Canada, has a history of supporting repressive and tyrannical regimes in the region, destabilizing progressive governments, and fomenting civil unrest. In short it is an interventionist tool of the United States and Canada.

In his book “Killing Hope: US Military and CIA Intervention Since World War II,” William Blum points out that the United States has participated in fifty-five regime change operations in 50 years, from 1945 to 1955. Add recent history and the number goes up considerably. The US and the OAS backed the coup in Bolivia in 2019 that overthrew the Movement for Socialism headed by Evo Morales; they were returned to power in October 2020. The progressive candidate in Ecuador Andres Arauz was prevented from coming to power by the United States, the OAS leadership, and the reactionary government of Colombia; the OAS spread false stories regarding the election with unsubstantiated claims of Fraud. Max Blumenthal and Ken Norton of the Real News, reported on June 1, 2018 that; the USAID which is supposed to be an “aid” organization, wrote in its 2018 Congressional Budget Justification that the “OAS promotes US political and economic interests in the Western Hemisphere by countering the influence of anti-US countries such as Venezuela.”

Against this background it is increasingly encouraging to see the continued consolidation and vibrancy of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), of which the United States and Canada are not members. The Heads of State of CELAC held their VI Summit on September 18, 2021, hosted by Mexico, and presided over by its President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. President Obrador mentioned in part that “it is time to end the lethargy and establish a new and vigorous relationship between the people of America…walking together and associating ourselves for the good of America, without violating our sovereignty.” Of significance also is the attendance and participation of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel, Bolivian President Luis Arce and Peruvian President Pedro Castillo.

For years, the region has experienced destabilizations, civil unrest, coups including assassinations of progressive leaders of government or National Liberation Movements, to further the imperialist aims of the United States. Aims that have the sole purpose of securing cheap and at times non-unionized labor, the plunder of natural resources, destruction of eco-systems through mining and the bribing of corrupt politicians to ensure a foothold for the US and Canadian multinational corporations, for super profits, leaving the masses in perpetual poverty.

The highlight of the Summit, however, is the adoption of a 44-point Declaration that speaks to and contains Agreements on jointly addressing critical issues like climate change, the Covid-19 Pandemic, sovereignty, and regime change tactics such as the illegal and immoral embargoes on Cuba and Venezuela. Commenting on the success of the Summit the Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard said, “we are content because Latin America and the Caribbean approved something unanimously; we are going to work together so that we do not get behind so that we have technology, and we can improve our possibilities of well-being.” This commitment is telling especially as it relates to vaccine availability and the usurping of it and the refusal to share the technology by the rich countries, to the detriment of the poor countries. CELAC must be applauded for their stance on the consideration of the Cuban vaccines; Cuba has four vaccines that are currently in use  even for children as young as 2 years old.

The ideological reflection of the Caribbean and Latin-American region is changing; the masses are mobilized and engaging in social activism to bring about meaningful socio-economic change. The masses are electing individuals and parties that reflect this change. The CELAC organization can only be as strong as its leadership and members; leadership that takes enlightened and principled positions on issues especially affecting the region. The Organization must guard against opportunistic and hegemonic influences, that only destroys their solidarity and betrays the well-being of their people.

Send emails to Richard Dunn at: contact@makingitplain.net