Latin American and Caribbean countries have agreed to set up a new organisation as an alternative to the Organisation of American States (OAS). Two members of the OAS, the United States and Canada, will not be offered a place.

The OAS consists of the 35 independent states of the Americas. It was set up after the Second World War to, in part, promote cooperation among members and strengthen the peace and security of the continent. However, over the years there have been frequent differences of opinion between the US and Latin American members; in particular, over trade issues.
 
The decision to set up a new organisation was taken at the same summit in Mexico that approved Argentina’s objections to UK oil exploration near the Falkland Islands. Countries such as Cuba and Venezuela have applauded the formation of the new organisation.
 
Cuba was banned from the OAS in 1962, and has only recently been given permission to return. However, it says it has no desire to do so.
 
The US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Arturo Valenzuela, said the United States did not see the new grouping as a problem.