Organization of American States addresses crises in Haiti and Nicaragua

The Organization of American States (OAS) is addressing critical political and security crises in Haiti and Nicaragua.

In Haiti, OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin has called for accelerated international efforts to improve security and prepare for elections. Ramdin emphasized that security improvements and electoral preparations are “most immediate and interdependent priorities” for the nation. He urged the strengthening of citizen identification and voter mobilization to support the Provisional Electoral Council’s plan for presidential and legislative elections, currently scheduled for December 13. Ramdin also supported the mandate renewal for the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) but warned that success depends on international partners fulfilling their commitments regarding personnel and resources.

Regarding Nicaragua, the OAS approved a resolution with 29 votes to urgently convene a meeting of Foreign Ministers to address the situation under President Daniel Ortega. The move follows threats from Ortega to cancel elections to prevent opposition gains. While the resolution seeks high-level diplomatic consultation, the decision faced pushback; Mexico abstained, arguing that Nicaragua’s internal situation does not constitute a threat to hemispheric peace and that intervention could deepen isolation and instability. Nicaragua officially withdrew from the OAS in 2023.