Diplomatic bloc
Organization of American States
Principal political forum of the Western Hemisphere — 35 member states.
Members
35
Founded
1948
Headquarters
Washington, D.C., United States
What is the Organization of American States?
The Organization of American States is the main political forum of the Western Hemisphere, bringing together 35 independent states of North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean. It promotes democracy, human rights, security, and development across the Americas.
Key facts
- Full name
- Organization of American States
- Founded
- 1948 · Charter signed in Bogotá
- Headquarters
- Washington, D.C., United States
- Member states
- 35
- Region
- The Americas
- Founded
- 1948, in Bogotá
Organization of American States member states
35 countries
Antigua and Barbuda
ATG
Argentina
ARG
Bahamas
BHS
Barbados
BRB
Belize
BLZ
Bolivia
BOL
Brazil
BRA
Canada
CAN
Chile
CHL
Colombia
COL
Costa Rica
CRI
Cuba
CUB
Dominica
DMA
Dominican Republic
DOM
Ecuador
ECU
El Salvador
SLV
Grenada
GRD
Guatemala
GTM
Guyana
GUY
Haiti
HTI
Honduras
HND
Jamaica
JAM
Mexico
MEX
Nicaragua
NIC
Panama
PAN
Paraguay
PRY
Peru
PER
Saint Kitts and Nevis
KNA
Saint Lucia
LCA
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
VCT
Suriname
SUR
Trinidad and Tobago
TTO
United States
USA
Uruguay
URY
Venezuela
VEN
Why the OAS matters
The OAS observes elections, mediates regional disputes, and houses the Inter-American human-rights system. Cuba's participation was suspended from 1962 to 2009, and disputes over Venezuela's representation have tested the body in recent years.
Related blocs & alliances
Frequently asked questions about the OAS
Quick answers to the most common questions about the Organization of American States.
How many countries belong to the OAS?
35 independent states of the Americas are members.
When was the OAS founded?
In 1948, when its charter was signed in Bogotá, Colombia.
Where is the OAS headquartered?
In Washington, D.C., in the United States.
Research the OAS with Model Diplomat
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