When formed on 5 May 1948, there were 21 members of the OAS. The organization's membership expanded as other nations in theAmericas gained full politicalindependence assovereign states.
^On 28 April 2017, Venezuela notified the OAS of its denounciation of the Charter of the OAS, which as per Article 143 would lead to the withdraw of Venezuela from the OAS effective two years from the date of notification.[5] During the 2019Venezuelan presidential crisis, thePresident of the National Assembly of VenezuelaJuan Guaidó, who was recognized by theNational Assembly as the acting president, sent a letter to the OAS Secretary General annulling the previous denuncation of the OAS Charter, and expressing his desire for Venezuela to remain a member of the OAS.[5] The National Assembly designated a special envoy as representative to the OAS, who the OAS voted to recognize as Venezuela's delegate in April.[6][7]
^Suspended between 1962–2009.[9] However, following the lifting of their suspension, a Declaration of the Revolutionary Government stated that while Cuba welcomed the Assembly's gesture, in light of the Organization's historical record "Cuba will not return to the OAS".[10] See:Cuba–OAS relations.
^In November 2021, Nicaragua submitted a formal request to leave the OAS, following the OAS condemnation of the outcome of the2021 election.[11] The withdrawal was completed in November 2023.[12]
