Introduction
As the 55th General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OEA) approaches in Antigua and Barbuda, a US State Department official has called on Latin American countries to choose their stance in the ongoing conflict with Iran. Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua have expressed solidarity with Iran, while others like Brazil and the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), which includes Bolivia and Antigua Barbuda, have condemned the attacks.
Countries’ Responses
- Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua: These countries have shown support for Iran, aligning themselves with what US Under Secretary of State Marco Rubio calls “enemies of humanity.”
- Brazil: Brazil has expressed concern over the military offensive, criticizing the attacks.
- ALBA: This regional bloc, which includes Bolivia and Antigua Barbuda, has also condemned the attacks against Iran.
- Argentina: Argentina has backed the United States’ position.
“Taking a Decision”
The US State Department official emphasized that this is a crucial moment for Latin American countries to decide their stance, whether they will support a regime accused of state-sponsored terrorism or take a different position as Israel’s military offensive against Iran continues.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. The official stressed that countries must make a clear choice.
Haiti on the Agenda
The OEA assembly will primarily focus on the crisis in Haiti. The US is willing to take a leading role in addressing the country’s issues, including pandilla violence, increased police presence, gun control, and security infrastructure reconstruction. However, the US seeks concrete commitments from the OEA.
- Topics for discussion at the OEA assembly include budget financing, mental health crisis in the Americas, and the Malvinas islands issue.
- There will be no texts addressing Venezuela or Nicaragua’s situations, as both countries have left the organization.
Countering China’s Influence
The US aims to limit China’s growing regional influence, a significant trading partner for many Latin American nations and a strategic rival to Washington.
The official highlighted that the OEA remains one of the few multilateral spaces where China lacks substantial voting power or financial influence. The US is determined to prevent China from undermining democracy and economic progress in the region through its observer status.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main topic of discussion at the OEA assembly? The crisis in Haiti.
- Which countries have expressed support for Iran? Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua.
- Which countries have condemned the attacks against Iran? Brazil and the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), which includes Bolivia and Antigua Barbuda.
- What is the US’s role in addressing Haiti’s issues? The US is willing to take a leading role in tackling pandilla violence, increasing police presence, controlling gun circulation, and reconstructing security infrastructure.
- Why is the OEA assembly important in countering China’s influence? The OEA remains a platform where China lacks significant voting power or financial influence, allowing the US to prevent China from undermining democracy and economic progress in the region.
