OAS Cuban Resolution Reaffirms Democracy
by Dr. Tony Magana
The resolution opening a possibility for Cuba to reapply for membership to OAS should not be considered a significant change in policy.
In 1962 the Organization of American States voted to rescind membership of Cuba because of its adherence to Marxist-Leninist principals. Today the OAS voted to allow Cuba to reapply for membership if it can meet the democratic requirements for membership including elections and a free press.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was present for many hours during the negotiations in San Pedro Sula, Honduras by the the Ministerial Working Group of the OAS to hammer out a resolution. Apparently many of the new leftist governments in Latin America wanted Cuba to be readmitted unconditionally while the United States was working for establishing conditions.
Thomas A. Shannon, Jr. , assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere Affairs said this was an important step forward for the OAS and a reaffirming of the profound commitment to democracy and fundamental human rights. He added that this act strengthens the role of the OAS in the Americas.
| Head of U.S. Delegation Addresses OAS on Cuban Resolution |
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For his part, Cuban leader Fidel Castro has been very critical of the OAS. In reports from official Cuban news media he has repeatedly denied seeking membership in the OAS. Castro has called the OAS a “Trojan horse” which allows the U.S. to “wreck havoc in Latin America”.
The Mexican newspaper, El Universal, reported an interview with the former Mexican Ambassador to Cuba, Ricardo Pascoe in which he said the resolution was a victory not only for all of Latin America but also the U.S. because it was a “consensual agreement”.The article noted that although Castro has called the OAS a “stinking corpse’ he has been sending discrete signals of wanting to return to membership.
Mexico was the only country to vote against the resolution in 1962 blocking membership of Cuba in the OAS but apparently this time according to El Universal specifically sought to play a low key role.
What will be the significance of the resolution? University of Miami Cuba expert, Andy Gomez was reported today in the Miami Herald to call the resolution “meaningless”.
The growing power of the Colombian and Mexican drug cartels and leftist movements in much of Latin America should continue to be a significant concern to the United States. The resolution passed by the OAS shows that the United States and other democracies in the Western Hemisphere still have significant sway. However, without careful attention this could change.
America’s best course is to avoid direct aggressive intervention, promote free trade and democracy in the region. Most importantly we must never compromise our moral high ground on the lack of democracy in Cuba or in other thug led regimes.
Thanks for reading Contempo Magazine blog which discusses issues for McAllen, the Rio Grande Valley, and America from a conservative Hispanic point of view. Tony Magaña grew up in McAllen Texas, attended Texas A&M University, served as an officer in Army Reserve, and holds a doctorate from Harvard University. The co-founder of Contempo Magazine has participated in Valley business for over 20 years. He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and also writes for the American Daily Review. Follow him on twitter http://twitter.com/contempomagazin
