It’s Time to Abolish the Organization of American States
A year since the Organization of American States made unfounded claims of electoral fraud in Bolivia, leftist leaders from across the region have called for its Trumpian secretary general to resign. Throughout its history, the OAS has been a tool of Washington's domination of Latin America — and an obstacle to genuine efforts at regional integration.
Former Bolivian President Evo Morales speaks during a press conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Ricardo Ceppi / Getty Images)
Progressive and centrist politicians from across Latin America are calling on Organization of American States (OAS) secretary general Luis Almagro to resign over his role in last year’s coup against Bolivian president Evo Morales.
In a letter initiated by the Puebla Group, twenty-nine current and former presidents, ministers, and parliamentarians state that subsequent events have confirmed “there was no fraud in the October 2019 elections and that Evo Morales would have been sworn in as legitimate president of Bolivia if the OAS, in its position as observer, had not refused to recognize the results.”
They note that when the OAS questioned the results — despite the lack of any evidence of fraud — it helped “unleash a situation of political and social violence that resulted in a coup and the subsequent resignation of President Evo Morales.”
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