The Inevitable (but Difficult) Transition of the OAS

In Nassau, the trends that try to shape the destiny of the OAS emerged with great clarity. The consensus is that the OAS must constitute a stronger institution, with greater authority and efficiency to deal with the different problems of a new era. The discrepancies between the delegations were not only rooted in the emphasis that the OAS should give to the treatment of the topics of the new agenda. What was tried to define is what the OAS is and should be, the scope of its powers, its ability to act against the so-called reserved right of States. Two main tendencies manifested themselves: the “supranational”, represented mainly by Argentina and Panama, and the “legalist”, championed by Mexico.