Latest news with #OAS
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Why the OAS can't afford to be neutral on democracy in Latin America
When leaders of international organizations proclaim neutrality, it may sound statesmanlike. However, in many parts of the world not taking sides is the equivalent of siding with dictators. This is certainly true in Latin America, which is why statements from Albert Ramdin, who next week becomes Secretary General of the Washington, D.C.-based Organization of American States (OAS), are troubling especially to South Florida residents, many of whom have fled dictatorships. Ramdin feels the OAS 'must not become a force that takes sides,' when referring to the region's challenges in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, are troubling to anyone who cares about democracy, human rights and rule of law. The election of Ramdin, championed by China and member countries like Brazil, Colombia and Mexico that favor dialogue with dictators, brings a new, troubling approach to the OAS. While the new Secretary-General may try to adopt a position perceived as balanced, there seems to be confusion between ideological neutrality that avoids selectivity and clarity on the principles that the OAS is mandated to uphold. This means that contrary to what Ramdin said, the OAS not only can take sides, it must do so. The core documents of the OAS were adopted to establish the values of the multilateral framework in the hemisphere. Article 2 of the OAS Charter enshrined the promotion of democracy as a key purpose of the organization. In September 2001, the OAS adopted the Inter-American Democratic Charter, a comprehensive instrument to strengthen and protect democracy in the Americas. It established mechanisms that compel the organization to act when there is a serious alteration of the constitutional order that impairs democratic governance in a member-State. This last provision is especially important: The OAS charter only mentioned constitutional interruptions through the use of force, which doesn't reflect the modern challenge of democratic erosion and progressive autocratization by regimes that were originally democratically elected. Despite the existence of this framework, democracy faces tremendous pressure in the region, with several countries sliding into hybrid regimes with decreasing institutional quality. Favoring dialogue with dictators appears to be a sort of contestation to those efforts, under the apparent guise of a more balanced and non-selective approach. There lies the root of the problem, one that confuses evenness with a softer strategy that recognizes the tyrants. So what would an 'even' approach actually look like? Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela represent examples of authoritarian states identified with left-wing ideologies. They are the most oppressive regimes on the continent, responsible for grave and systematic human rights violations. The focus that the OAS has had on these regimes during Almagro's tenure is hardly arbitrary, but rather one that reflects the most serious and pressing challenges regarding the protection and promotion of democracy, based on the norms of the OAS. Yet, assaults on democracy are hardly exclusive to the left. The right-wing government of Nayib Bukele in El Salvador, for example, has engaged in some of the most notorious attacks on democratic institutions in the region since the rise of Ortega in Nicaragua and Chávez in Venezuela. With military coups largely a thing of the past in the Americas, the OAS must put its attention to this type of democratic erosion, serving as an early warning system that calls out member countries when they undermine democratic norms and institutions. It is in this area that Secretary-General Ramdin could find the balance that he seeks, not one that underestimates the urgency of the region's major crises, but one that is able to point out threats to democracy no matter where they emerge, in which stage they are, or who causes them. Ramdin's call to dialogue thus is a double-edged sword. While it may open channels of communication, it risks catering to the dictators and their efforts to cling to power. Member states must insist that Ramdin uphold the OAS' own norms and principles which mandate the organization, its authorities and especially its Secretary-General to take a side. That side can only be the side of democracy and human rights faced against tyranny and oppression. Ezequiel Podjarny is a legal and policy fellow at the Human Rights Foundation.
Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
John Ivison: The first Carney spending numbers are out, and they're as bad as Trudeau's
Politics is not a zero-sum game where one person's win is automatically another's loss. An economy is not a conserved system, so, in theory, it is possible that a government could reduce taxes, increase spending and balance budgets (if, for example, revenues rise). Article content But it is a theory that is as rare in real life as white peacocks. Article content The Carney government is in the process of legislating a $5-billion-a-year middle-class tax cut, while planning to increase spending on things like the military and housing, and at the same time promising to balance the operating budget in three years. Article content Article content Yet, the Main Estimates, the government's spending plan that was released on Tuesday at the same time as the throne speech, shows no signs of the restraint that will be needed if the government is to meet that last target. Article content Article content This is the first evidence of concrete spending plans since the election and it seems the bureaucracy did not get the memo about the need for fiscal rigour. Article content The prime minister was critical of his predecessor's fondness for distributing cash, saying the Trudeau government spent too much and invested too little. Mark Carney said his government will limit operating-expense increases to two per cent a year, down from nine per cent a year under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, while preserving transfers to provinces and individuals. The Main Estimates suggest that message of restraint fell on deaf ears in Ottawa: total budgeted spending is scheduled to rise 7.75 per cent to $486.9 billion this fiscal year across 130 federal organizations (compared to last year's Main Estimates). The government will ask Parliament to vote on $222.9 billion of spending measures, a 14 per cent increase on last year's estimates. Article content Article content The most egregious spending appears to be on consultants. The estimates reveal that budgetary expenditure by 'standard object' — in this case, 'professional and special services' — are set to hit $26 billion this year, if departments are granted the approvals they are seeking (the estimates are an 'up to' amount; departments could spend less). Article content Article content These numbers require numerous caveats. They include operating and capital spending, as well as transfer payments and contributions to Crown corporations. To add some perspective, payments to seniors (Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement) swallow up $86 billion of that number. Some people have suggested the only way to make a meaningful dent in the spending picture is to means test OAS, but Carney has already ring-fenced all transfers. Article content It should also be pointed out that the Main Estimates are not the whole picture. There will be additional 'supplementary estimates' over the course of the year that will likely increase spending further in response to events.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
German foreign minister on first official visit to Washington
US Secretary od State Marco Rubio welcomed his German counterpart, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, to Washington on Wednesday on Wadephul's first official visit to the United States. Wadephul's trip comes ahead of a planned visit by Chancellor Friedrich Merz for talks with President Donald Trump for which no date has yet been set. Merz and Wadephul took office an May 6 following elections in February. Ahead of the visit, Wadephul indicated he would seek trans-Atlantic cooperation in dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin and in confronting continuing attacks on Ukraine. "We must maintain the pressure, so that Putin at last comes to the negotiating table, so that Russia at last enters into serious negotiations," he said. Later on Wednesday, Wadephul was to place two roses at Washington's Jewish Museum in memory of two Jewish victims from an attack in Washington on May 21. They were shot on leaving the Israeli embassy in an apparently anti-Semitic attack. Wadephul was also to hold talks with Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Albert Ramdin. Set up in 1948, the Washington-based OAS works for peace and stability in the region, along with promoting democracy and freedom of the press.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt effects minor reshuffle of OAS officers
Bhubaneswar: State govt on Friday implemented a minor reshuffle of OAS officers. According to the notification issued by the general administration and public grievance department, Anuj Kumar Das Pattanaik, who was the state nodal officer for PM Poshan and Mukhyamantri Poshan schemes, was transferred and appointed as the new director of information and public relations. Surendra Kumar Panda, who was special secretary in health and family welfare department, was posted as the new state nodal officer for PM Poshan and MM Poshan. Similarly, Mitali Patra, the ex-tehsildar of Tangi, has now joined as the administrative officer for CDM&PHO in Baripada, Bhubaneswar: State govt on Friday implemented a minor reshuffle of OAS officers. According to the notification issued by the general administration and public grievance department, Anuj Kumar Das Pattanaik, who was the state nodal officer for PM Poshan and Mukhyamantri Poshan schemes, was transferred and appointed as the new director of information and public relations. Surendra Kumar Panda, who was special secretary in health and family welfare department, was posted as the new state nodal officer for PM Poshan and MM Poshan. Similarly, Mitali Patra, the ex-tehsildar of Tangi, has now joined as the administrative officer for CDM&PHO in Baripada, Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
TimesLIVE
23-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Haiti calls for urgent regional gang-fighting support as US shies off funding
Top Haitian ministers called for urgent security support from neighbours at a meeting of the Organisation of American States (OAS) on Thursday, while the US signalled it would not continue funding aimed at holding back the nation's armed gangs. Powerful gangs, armed with guns the UN believes are trafficked largely from the US and across the land border with the Dominican Republic, have taken control of most of the capital and expanded to the central plateau and agricultural heartlands, displacing more than a million people. 'While we remain determined to assist the Haitian people achieve the peace, security and prosperity they deserve, the US cannot continue shouldering such a significant financial burden,' US Caribbean affairs deputy assistant secretary Barbara Feinstein said at the meeting. The US has cut much overseas aid and frozen some funding it earlier pledged to support a UN-backed mission in Haiti, and earlier this week secretary of state Marco Rubio suggested the OAS should play a greater role in supporting Haiti's security, such as mobilising a force. 'The OAS is uniquely positioned not only as a forum for diplomacy but as a vehicle for co-ordinated, concrete action,' Feinstein added. A handful of countries have pledged troops to the mission, but only a fraction of these have deployed. The Kenyan-led force remains under-resourced and has had little success in helping police hold off gangs' advances in and beyond the capital. OAS special adviser Jared Genser recommended that unless the mission is proven capable of providing security for Haitians, the UN Security Council should vote to convert it to a formal peacekeeping mission — a measure repeatedly requested by Haitian leaders but opposed by veto members China and Russia. Haitian defence minister Jean-Michel Moise said the situation was being fuelled by gangs profiting off cocaine trafficking from Colombia to buyer nations and arms trafficking from the US by sea and across the Dominican border. 'This criminal economy fuels a local war machine. Haiti is on the brink of being fully controlled by criminal gangs and we cannot allow that to happen. We desperately need the help of the international community,' he said. Haiti counts about 12,000 police and 1,000 military officers for a population of nearly 12-million, officials said. Moise also called for restrictions — including some based on implications in human rights abuses — on selling arms to Haiti's government to be eased, citing gangs' easy access to militarised weapons.
