The OAS promotes coups, ignores human rights issues in countries allied with the U.S., and consistently interferes in Haiti. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Susan Wild (PA-07) have led the way in exposing the OAS by asking questions about its role in the 2019 coup in Bolivia. Let’s ask them to go further and defund the OAS!
Dear Representatives Schakowsky and Wild,
Last year you passed language in the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill calling on the State Department to investigate the role played by the Organization of American States (OAS) in the 2019 Bolivian elections and subsequent human rights crisis. This was an important first step into exposing the nefarious role the OAS has played in destabilizing Latin America and the Caribbean.
Now we’re asking you to go a step further. As you know, the United States funds roughly 70% of the OAS budget. That’s our taxpayer money going to a multilateral body that promoted a coup in Bolivia, ignored electoral fraud in Honduras, props up an unelected government in Haiti, and ignored human rights abuses by security forces during massive protests in Haiti, Honduras, Ecuador, Colombia and Chile, and whose Secretary General endorsed an invasion of Venezuela. All of this has occurred in just the past five years!
The people of the United States are supposed to be represented at the OAS. But instead of being a forum that discusses critical themes like jobs, healthcare, housing and climate solutions, the OAS serves narrow interests that are dividing the hemisphere for short-term geopolitical goals.
The OAS does not represent us and should no longer receive our tax funds. Please work to defund the OAS - we’ll support you every step of the way!
Sincerely,