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Agenda items: Americas

This page contains case studies on each of the agenda items relating to the Americas which the Council has considered at formal meetings. Each case study includes chronological summaries of the discussions and documents considered at the meetings as well as the full text (1946-1999) or summaries (2000-present) of all resolutions, presidential statements or other decisions taken by the Council on that agenda item. 

Below the links to the case studies there is a short description of each agenda item prepared on the basis of the content of the Repertoire.  The topics have been listed by the region/area that they primarily relate to and then organized chronologically in the order of its introduction on the Security Council’s agenda. Under each agenda item, related subsidiary organs of the Security Council featured in the Repertoire are also listed. 

Content

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

 

Argentina

Complaint by Argentina (Eichmann Case)

In June 1960, Argentina brought a complaint to the Security Council concerning the transfer of Adolf Eichmann, suspected of war crimes during World War II, from Argentina to Israel, alleging that its territorial sovereignty had been violated.

Central America

Central America: efforts towards peace

Under this agenda item, the Security Council assisted Central American countries in implementing the Guatemala agreement of 7 August 1987 and Joint Declaration of 14 February 1989 signed by Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua in order to achieve peace, democratization, reconciliation and justice in Central America, in particular in El Salvador and Guatemala. See also:

Letter dated 27 November 1989 from the Permanent Representative of El Salvador to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Letter dated 28 November 1989 from the Permanent Representative of Nicaragua addressed to the President of the Security Council

Subsidiary Organs:

United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA)
United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL)
United Nations Observer Group in Central America (ONUCA)
International Support and Verification Commission

Letter dated 27 November 1989 from the Permanent Representative of El Salvador to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Letter dated 28 November 1989 from the Permanent Representative of Nicaragua addressed to the President of the Security Council

In November 1998, El Salvador and Nicaragua requested the Security Council to consider the situation in El Salvador and its implication on the Central American peace process. Both countries in this context filed complaints against each other of having committed acts of aggression.

Chile/Cuba

Complaint by Cuba

The Security Council responded to a complaint by Cuba on alleged forceful action committed by the Chilean armed forces against the premises of the Embassy of Cuba in Chile on 11 September 1973 as well as against the Cuban merchant vessel Playa Larga, during the military actions against the Chilean Government of President Salvador Allende. 

 

Colombia

Identical letters dated 19 January 2016 from the Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council

Under this agenda item, the Security Council responded to the joint request by the Government of Colombia and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC-EP) to establish a UN political mission in Colombia, as the international component of the tripartite monitoring and verification mechanism of the Agreement on the ceasefire and definitive and bilateral cessation of hostilities and the abandonment of arms. In 2017, the United Nations Mission in Colombia was replaced by the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia to support the implementation of the next phase of the peace agreement.

Subsidiary organs

United Nations Mission in Colombia
United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia

Cuba

Shooting down of two civilian aircraft on 24 February 1996

The United States complained about the shooting down by Cuba of two United
States civilian aircraft on 24 February 1996 on the grounds that they were violating Cuban airspace.

Letter dated 27 April 1992 from the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/23850)

In 1992, Cuba accused the United States of promoting terrorist activities against Cuba. The allegations referred specifically to United States’ protection of terrorists believed to be responsible for the attack on a Cuban civilian aircraft near Barbados on 6 October 1976.

Letter dated 2 February 1990 from the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/21120)

In 1990 Cuba made a complaint against the United States for the “armed attack” on the Cuban merchant ship Hermann in the Gulf of Mexico on 30 January 1990.

 

Complaints by Cuba, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and United States (22-23 October 1962)

The Security Council addressed the Cuban missile crisis between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics when the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics attempted to install nuclear missiles in Cuba in October 1962.

Letter of 8 March 1962 from Cuba concerning the Punta del Este decisions

Under this agenda item, the Security Council dealt with the complaint by Cuba in March 1962 requesting the Council to suspend the Punta del Este decisions by the Organization of American States which adopted collective enforcement measures and calling for the opinion of the International Court of Justice.

Complaint by Cuba (letter of 31 December 1960)

The Security Council addressed the complaint by Cuba brought to it in December 1960 on an alleged plan for military action by the United States against Cuba.

Complaint by Cuba (letter of 11 July 1960)

The Security Council responded to the tension between Cuba and the United States in the Caribbean area resulting from mutual accusations of provocative actions and aggressive acts.

Dominican Republic

Complaint by Cuba (letter of 21 November 1961)

After the return to the Dominican Republic of the family of its ex-President Trujillo in 1961, Cuba accused the United States of carrying out an armed intervention in the Dominican Republic by dispatching warships and aircraft carriers to the coasts of the Dominican Republic. 

Letter of 5 September 1960 from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Action of the OAS relating to the Dominican Republic)

In support of the 20 August 1960 decision of the Organization of American States (OAS) to impose diplomatic sanctions against the regime of Raphael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic, following the Dominican Republic’s acts of aggression against Venezuela, including an alleged assassination attempt against the Venezuelan President in Caracas, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics requested the Security Council to endorse this OAS decision.

Situation in the Dominican Republic

In May 1965, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics requested the Security Council to consider the question of the armed interference by the United States in the internal affairs of the Dominican Republic. 

Subsidiary Organs:

Representative of the Secretary-General in the Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic/Haiti

Complaint by Haiti

The Security Council discussed the heightened tension between Haiti and the Dominican Republic in May 1963. Haiti accused the Dominican Republic of giving sanctuary to Haitian opponents to the Francois Duvalier regime in Haiti taking refuge in the Dominican embassy and of making a direct threat of invasion.

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Letter dated 11 March 1988 from the Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council and communications regarding the situation in the region of the Falkland Island (Islas Malvinas)

In view of the United Kingdom’s planned military exercises in the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) in March 1988, Argentina requested the Security Council to discuss the situation.

Letter dated 1 April 1982 from the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Question concerning the situation in the region of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)


At the request by the United Kingdom made on 1 April 1982, the day before the invasion of the Islands by Argentina, the Security Council discussed the situation in several meetings, and demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities and called on the parties to seek a diplomatic solution. Starting 21 May 1982, the Security Council continued to address the situation under the agenda item “Question concerning the situation in the region of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)”.   

Subsidiary Organs:

Good offices of the Secretary-General in connection with the question of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Grenada

The situation in Grenada

In October 1983, Nicaragua requested an urgent meeting of the Security Council to consider the overthrow of the Government of Grenada by a coalition of troops led by the United States.

Guatemala

The Guatemalan question

In June 1954, Guatemala denounced an aggression against its territory by Honduras and Nicaragua, allegedly at the instigation of the United States with the aim of overthrowing its government, and requested the Security Council to consider the situation.

Haiti

The question concerning Haiti

The Security Council continued to respond to the situation in Haiti under this agenda item since 1993, by establishing a series of peacekeeping operations to assist the country in restoration of peace and stability and professionalization and capacity-building of the national police force.  

Subsidiary organs

United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) 
United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)
United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti (MIPONUH)
United Nations Transition Mission in Haiti (UNTMIH)
United Nations Support Mission in Haiti (UNSMIH)
United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH)
Committee established pursuant to resolution 841 (1993) concerning Haiti

Items relating to Haiti

Letter dated 30 September 1991 from the Permanent Representative of Haiti to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Exchange of letters between the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council concerning Haiti

These items relate to the Security Council’s efforts to restore constitutional order and democracy in Haiti following the coup d’etat which deposed President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Complaint by Haiti

In May 1968, Haiti requested a Security Council meeting to consider an armed aggression which it claimed had been planned by exiles residing in the United States, and executed by American pilots living in the Bahamas.

Honduras

Letter dated 22 September 2009 from the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2009/487)

In September 2009, Brazil requested an urgent meeting of the Security Council to consider the situation in Honduras where the President of Honduras had returned to the country and taken refuge in the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa.

Nicaragua

Letter dated 17 March 1988 from the Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Nicaragua to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/19638)

Letter dated 9 December 1986 from the Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Letter dated 17 October 1986 from the Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Letter dated 22 July 1986 from the Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Letter dated 27 June 1986 from the Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Letter dated 6 December 1985 from the Charge d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Nicaragua to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Letter dated 6 May 1985 from the Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security-Council

Letter dated 9 November 1984 from the Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Letter dated 4 September 1984 from the Charge d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Nicaragua to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Letter dated 29 March 1984 from the Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Letter dated 3 February 1984 from the Charge d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Nicaragua to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Letter dated 12 September 1983 from the representative of Nicaragua on the Security Council addressed to the President of the Security Council

Letter dated 5 May 1983 from the representative of Nicaragua on the Security Council addressed to the President of the Security Council

Letter dated 22 March 1983 from the representative of Nicaragua on the Security Council addressed to the President of the Security Council

Letter dated 19 March 1982 from the Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

From 1982 to 1988, the Security Council, under 15 different agenda items, dealt with complaints by Nicaragua, which alleged that the United States had committed various acts of aggression against it.

Panama

 

Items relating to the situation in Panama

Letter dated 25 April 1989 from the Permanent Representative of Panama to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/20606)

The situation in Panama

Letter dated 3 January 1990 from the Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Nicaragua to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/21066)

The first two items are related to complaints by Panama against alleged threats of the use of force and intervention in Panama’s internal affairs by the United States and the 1989 United States military action in Panama and subsequent arrest of President Manuel Noriega.  Under the third item the incident in which the United States forces had allegedly made a forced entry into the residence of the Nicaraguan Ambassador to Panama on 30 December 1989 was discussed.

Consideration of measures for the maintenance and strengthening of international peace and security in Latin America in conformity with the provisions and principles of the Charter

At the invitation of Panama, the Security Council decided to meet in Panama City from 15-21 March 1973 to consider the above agenda item. During those 10 meetings held away from headquarters, the Council discussed various topics relating to peace and security in Latin America, including the question of the Panama Canal.

Complaint by Panama

In January 1964, Panama requested the Security Council to consider the crisis between Panama and the United States over the Panama Canal Zone.

 

United States/ Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

 

Question of alleged incident of attack on a United States navy aircraft

In 1954, the United States presented a complaint to the Security Council concerning an alleged attack on an American navy aircraft by two Soviet aircrafts on 4 September 1954.

Urgent measures to put an end to flights by United States military aircraft armed with atomic and hydrogen bombs in the direction of the frontiers of the Soviet Union

In April 1958, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics called for an urgent Security Council meeting following flights in the direction of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics frontiers by United States bombers carrying atomic and hydrogen bombs.

 

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

The situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

 
In January 2019, the Council held a debate under this item at the request of the United States, further to the adoption by the Organization of American States of a resolution resolving not to recognize the legitimacy of the new term of President Nicolás Maduro.