Latest news with #OrganizationofAmericanStates
The Hill
20-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
The strategic importance of designating Tren de Aragua a terrorist organization
The Peruvian government's recent call for all members of the Organization of American States to declare the transnational criminal group Tren de Aragua a terrorist organization is a landmark action that will reverberate positively throughout the Western Hemisphere. The statement — supported by the U.S., Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama and Paraguay — requests that OAS member states consider designating Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization, or to adopt equivalent legal frameworks that allow for greater prosecution capacity, asset freezes and enforcement actions. Tren de Aragua, which began in a Venezuelan state prison around 2014, is today one of the most dangerous transnational criminal organizations in the Americas. The group has rapidly expanded its operations into neighboring countries and beyond, leaving a trail of violence, exploitation and suffering. It operates as a highly organized criminal corporation, using violence and a hierarchical structure to control illicit markets, and terrorist tactics to eliminate competition and instill fear. Tren de Aragua has sown chaos, undermined local governance and endangered the lives of countless citizens. Thriving on fear and financial gain, Tren de Aragua is estimated to have around 5,000 members, and its annual profits range between $10 million and $15 million. Their use of extreme violence, targeted assassinations and mass intimidation to maintain control and expand influence aligns with the modus operandi of terrorist organizations. Its expansion has been swift and violent, exploiting deficient law enforcement, corruption and large migrant flows. Many nations in the region have been affected by the influence of this criminal network, which has disrupted communities in vulnerable border areas. Its operations have rapidly expanded into cities, effectively transforming into a new form of urban terrorism. The expansion of Tren de Aragua represents a significant regional crisis. This gang engages in drug trafficking, extortion and hired killings. It utilizes terrorist tactics such as torture and public displays of violence to instill fear and maintain control. Members often disseminate graphic content on social media to intimidate both rivals and law enforcement agencies. In April, the U.S. filed charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act against 27 members and associates of Tren de Aragua for acts committed both in America and abroad. This case showcases the need to address this pervasive threat further through coordinated international action. The recent U.S. designation of Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization marks a crucial strategic step. First, by recognizing Tren de Aragua as a terrorist group, the U.S. gains a broader set of tools to dismantle the its financial infrastructure. Many criminal organizations rely on transnational banking systems and shadowy financial channels to launder money and fund their operations. Cutting off access to these resources will severely weaken Tren de Aragua. Second, this move also sets the stage for enhanced regional collaboration. By highlighting the threat the group poses on the global stage, the U.S. sends a powerful message of mutually beneficial collaboration with its Latin American partners. Increased intelligence sharing, joint operations and technical assistance will help dismantle this criminal network. Third, the U.S. designation underscores the importance of a safer region and a stronger partnership with the Americas. It is a signal that the U.S. is committed to addressing one of the primary root causes of insecurity and instability in Latin America and within the U.S. By taking a stand against Tren de Aragua, the U.S. affirms its role as a partner in building a safer, more stable region where democracy and economic opportunity can thrive. The call for a unified response to combat Tren de Aragua across borders is critical. Together with its allies, the U.S. can champion an 'Americas-First Foreign Policy,' as suggested by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and reaffirm shared values with countries throughout the region. This would complement other security and defense cooperation from the U.S. and make its presence and influence more important and tangible. No other global power can make a greater commitment to working in the region to ensure that groups like Tren de Aragua cannot operate with impunity.
eNCA
04-07-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Inter-American court says states must protect people from climate change
SAN JOSE - The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that countries belonging to the Organization of American States (OAS) have an obligation to take "all necessary measures" to protect populations from climate change. The decision means that around 20 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean that recognise the court's jurisdiction must undertake legal reforms that could increase the requirements imposed on businesses, something environmentalists have long advocated. "States must adopt all necessary measures to reduce the risks arising... from the degradation of the global climate system," the Costa Rica-based court said in response to a request submitted by Colombia and Chile. It underlined that "the right to a healthy environment" is included among the rights protected by the American Convention on Human Rights. The court is an autonomous legal institution that interprets and applies the American Convention, which has been ratified by more than 20 countries including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru. The court said countries must "adopt legislative and other measures to prevent human rights violations committed by state and private companies." "States must urge all companies domiciled or operating in their territory to adopt effective measures to combat climate change and its impacts on human rights," it said. The first government reaction to the decision came not from one of the OAS member states, but from the small Pacific island of Vanuatu, which hailed it as "groundbreaking." The ruling was also welcomed by environmentalists. The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), which was involved in the case, said such "advisory opinions" were "authoritative statements of binding international law and carry substantial legal weight." "The court has broken new ground and set a powerful precedent," said Nikki Reisch, the organisation's climate and energy program director. "The court's conclusions should put big polluters, like the fossil fuel industry, on notice: climate-destructive conduct violates the law." Viviana Krsticevic, executive director of the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), said the ruling established "legally binding standards" for the protection of the right to a healthy environment. Marcella Ribeiro, an attorney with the Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense, said that it was the first time an international court had "directly addressed climate change as a legal and structural human rights issue."
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Inter-American court says states must protect people from climate change
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled Thursday that countries belonging to the Organization of American States (OAS) have an obligation to take "all necessary measures" to protect populations from climate change. The decision means that around 20 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean that recognize the court's jurisdiction must undertake legal reforms that could increase the requirements imposed on businesses, something environmentists have long advocated. "States must adopt all necessary measures to reduce the risks arising... from the degradation of the global climate system," the Costa Rica-based court said in response to a request submitted by Colombia and Chile. It underlined that "the right to a healthy environment" is included among the rights protected by the American Convention on Human Rights. The court is an autonomous legal institution that interprets and applies the American Convention, which has been ratified by more than 20 countries including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru. The court said countries must "adopt legislative and other measures to prevent human rights violations committed by state and private companies." "States must urge all companies domiciled or operating in their territory to adopt effective measures to combat climate change and its impacts on human rights," it said. The first government reaction to the decision came not from one of the OAS member states, but from the small Pacific island of Vanuatu, which hailed it as "groundbreaking." The ruling was also welcomed by environmentalists. The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), which was involved in the case, said such "advisory opinions" were "authoritative statements of binding international law and carry substantial legal weight." "The court has broken new ground and set a powerful precedent," said Nikki Reisch, the organization's climate and energy program director. "The court's conclusions should put big polluters, like the fossil fuel industry, on notice: climate-destructive conduct violates the law." Viviana Krsticevic, executive director of the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), said the ruling established "legally binding standards" for the protection of the right to a healthy environment. Marcella Ribeiro, an attorney with the Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense, said that it was the first time an international court had "directly addressed climate change as a legal and structural human rights issue." bur-fj/dr/jgc
Int'l Business Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Inter-American Court Says States Must Protect People From Climate Change
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled Thursday that countries belonging to the Organization of American States (OAS) have an obligation to take "all necessary measures" to protect populations from climate change. The decision means that around 20 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean that recognize the court's jurisdiction must undertake legal reforms that could increase the requirements imposed on businesses, something environmentists have long advocated. "States must adopt all necessary measures to reduce the risks arising... from the degradation of the global climate system," the Costa Rica-based court said in response to a request submitted by Colombia and Chile. It underlined that "the right to a healthy environment" is included among the rights protected by the American Convention on Human Rights. The court is an autonomous legal institution that interprets and applies the American Convention, which has been ratified by more than 20 countries including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru. The court said countries must "adopt legislative and other measures to prevent human rights violations committed by state and private companies." "States must urge all companies domiciled or operating in their territory to adopt effective measures to combat climate change and its impacts on human rights," it said. The first government reaction to the decision came not from one of the OAS member states, but from the small Pacific island of Vanuatu, which hailed it as "groundbreaking." The ruling was also welcomed by environmentalists. The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), which was involved in the case, said such "advisory opinions" were "authoritative statements of binding international law and carry substantial legal weight." "The court has broken new ground and set a powerful precedent," said Nikki Reisch, the organization's climate and energy program director. "The court's conclusions should put big polluters, like the fossil fuel industry, on notice: climate-destructive conduct violates the law." Viviana Krsticevic, executive director of the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), said the ruling established "legally binding standards" for the protection of the right to a healthy environment. Marcella Ribeiro, an attorney with the Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense, said that it was the first time an international court had "directly addressed climate change as a legal and structural human rights issue."
UPI
26-06-2025
- Politics
- UPI
Rubio nominates Rosa Maria Paya for OAS human rights commission
Cuban activist Rosa Maria Paya (C) and members of the Cuban exile and freedom activists participate in a Miami demonstration supporting Cubans protesting against the government of Cuba on November 14, 2021. File Photo by Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EPA-EFE June 26 (UPI) -- The Organization of American States is scheduled to elect new members of its Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on Friday, and the United States wants Rosa Maria Paya on it. The IACHR is the OAS's primary body for defending human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Western Hemisphere, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. "Rosa Maria Paya is a principled, courageous and deeply committed human rights and democracy defender," Rubio said on Thursday in a news release. "Her record of fearless leadership and moral clarity -- particularly in confronting authoritarianism and promoting democratic values -- reflects the very ideals upon which the IACHR was founded," he said. "Rosa Maria brings the dignity and resolve to tackle the commission's greatest challenges with innovative solutions, all while keeping a focus on serving the people of the Americas," Rubio added. "I have full confidence in her ability to make the commission more effective, efficient and relevant." Paya is a Cuban human rights and democracy activist and the daughter of Oswaldo Paya, who was a Cuban democracy activist who was killed, according to the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. Paya is a graduate of the University of Havana and Georgetown University's Global Competitive Leadership Program. She founded Cuba Decide, which is a grassroots organization seeking to foster democracy in Cuba, and is president of the Latin American Youth Network for Democracy. The 55th OAS General Assembly started on Wednesday and runs through Friday.
