US Undersecretary of State Christopher Landau Warns That His Country Is Evaluating Whether to Remain in the Regional Organization. Photo: Archive
Guacamaya, June 26, 2025. The role of the Organization of American States (OAS) has been questioned by the United States amid the organization’s apparent inability to resolve deep crises such as those in Venezuela and Haiti. US Undersecretary of State Christopher Landau expressed Washington’s growing skepticism regarding the lack of concrete results in these two countries.
«If we are unable to respond to or remedy a situation in which a regime openly ignores international norms and threatens the territorial integrity of its neighbor, then we must ask ourselves: what is the purpose of this organization?» Landau said in relation to Venezuela during his intervention at the 55th OAS General Assembly, held in Antigua and Barbuda.
The US position has intensified following last year’s controversial presidential elections in Venezuela, whose results have been widely questioned by the international community. In the case of Haiti, the OAS has also failed to articulate an effective response to the institutional collapse and widespread violence in that country.
Landau raised doubts about the relevance and effectiveness of the regional organization and warned that Washington’s continued membership is at stake. The official, representing Marco Rubio at the Assembly, recalled Donald Trump’s request to the State Department to review which international organizations benefit the United States and to evaluate possible withdrawal.
In response, Colombia replied to the US intervention, emphasizing the importance of Venezuela’s active participation in seeking solutions to its own crisis. Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia pointed out that President Petro «has been emphatic that a negotiated solution is needed and that elections can only be recognized upon presentation of the official results.»
Venezuelan Opposition Criticizes New Secretary’s Approach
A day earlier, the new OAS Secretary General, Albert Randim, had told EFE about the need to open a dialogue between the Venezuelan government and opposition, and said he would avoid getting involved in discussions about whether the country «is a dictatorship or not.» This stance drew strong criticism from opposition figures who believe that recognizing the authoritarian nature of the government is key to addressing the crisis.
«If we do not understand that the problem is that Venezuela is a dictatorship, we will not know how to confront it,» warned Tamara Suju, an exiled activist and executive director of the Casla Institute, in statements to NTN24. Meanwhile, Voluntad Popular stated in a communiqué that the Secretary «is wrong» to call only for dialogue, as this legitimizes a government that has shown no willingness to transition.
The US position at the OAS General Assembly poses a challenge to the new leadership under Albert Randim and member states to take a more active and effective role in the region. While some countries advocate dialogue, the Venezuelan opposition and parts of civil society demand a firmer stance against the questionable consolidation of the government one year after the presidential elections.
