Secretary of State visits Honduras for the OAS General Assembly

USAID/Honduras provided both logistical and programmatic support for the recent visit by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the 39th Organization of American States General Assembly (OASGA) in San Pedro Sula. Executive Officer Mike de la Rosa served as a Management Control Officer and led his USAID-deployed team in providing logistical support for the visit despite two earthquakes that took place during the week. USAID officers David Thompson and Todd Hamner served as Control Officers for Assistant Secretary of State, Tom Shannon and for a five-member Congressional delegation respectively. The delegation included Congressmen Eliot Engel (NY 17th), Gregory Meeks (NY 6th), and William Delahunt (MA 10th).

The OASGA theme of nonviolence was lost amid the debate of Cuba’s 47-year-old suspension from the OAS. During the assembly, the OAS rescinded the suspension, opening the door for Cuba to return to the OAS should it be willing to engage in "a process of dialogue” that respects “OAS practices, proposals, and principles.” The United States successfully negotiated for the inclusion of this language to ensure that adherence to agreements on human rights and democracy would be recognized preconditions for Cuba’s return.