Organization of American States

Organization of American States (OAS), association of republics of the Americas that aims to settle disputes peacefully, to create a collective security system, and to coordinate the work of other intra-American bodies. The OAS was founded in Bogotá, Colombia, in 1948 and has a permanent secretariat, the Pan American Union. Its activities have included support for the U.S. blockade of Cuba in 1962 and mediation between Britain and Guatemala in 1972.