Definitions for "Organization of American States"
created in 1948 to defend the sovereignty of the nations of South and North America; OAS also is involved in the settlement of disputes and promotion of economic and cultural cooperation in the region. Headquarters is in Washington, DC.
an organization composed of Latin American states and the United States; formed to promote collective security
a international political organization responsible for regional security within the Americas. Almost all countries in the hemisphere belong to the OAS; the notable exception is Cuba, whose membership was suspended following the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.