Guyana votes in favour as OAS suspends Russia’s permanent observer status

The Organization of American States (OAS) adopted a resolution suspending Russia as a permanent observer to the body, following its invasion of Ukraine.

There were 25 votes in favour of the resolution and Guyana was one of the countries that voted in favour of suspending Russia. Eight countries also abstained from voting while one was absent.

Guyana’s Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, in a tweet, explained Guyana’s decision to support this resolution.

“We stand by our principled position on territorial integrity and against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” the Foreign Secretary said.

With these votes, the OAS Permanent Council approved the resolution, effectively suspending Russia as a Permanent Observer to the body.

According to the OAS website, this observer status has allowed countries outside the region to participate, contribute to and reinforce the principles, objectives and programs of the OAS.

Meanwhile, a release from the US government said that the vote sent a clear message to Russia, that the “unconscionable war of choice” should end and Russia should withdraw forces.

“With the passage of this resolution, OAS member states demonstrated that we do not stand on the sidelines in the face of the Russian government’s violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses,” the US release stated.