Andean Community#Organization

File:Comunidad andina.svg

The original Andean Pact was founded in 1969 by Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. In 1973 the pact gained its sixth member, Venezuela. In 1976 however, its membership was again reduced to five when Chile withdrew. Venezuela announced its withdrawal in 2006, reducing the Andean Community to four member states.

Recently, with the new cooperation agreement with Mercosur, the Andean Community gained four new associate members: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. These four Mercosur members were granted associate membership by the Andean Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in an enlarged session with the Commission (of the Andean Community) on 7 July 2005. This moves reciprocates the actions of Mercosur which granted associate membership to all the Andean Community nations by virtue of the Economic Complementarity Agreements (Free Trade agreements) signed between the CAN and individual Mercosur members.{{cite web| url=http://www.comunidadandina.org/ingles/common/mercosur2.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020616143720/http://www.comunidadandina.org/ingles/common/mercosur2.htm |archive-date= 16 June 2002 |title=CAN – Mercosur}}

Evgeny Morozov argues that the original Andean Pact was motivated in part by a pursuit of technological sovereignty and independence from partnerships with American technology companies.{{Cite web |last=Morozov |first=Evgeny |date=2023-09-09 |title=The lessons of Chile’s struggle against Big Tech |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/the-weekend-essay/2023/09/salvador-allende-fight-big-tech |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=New Statesman |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Evgeny Morozov: We Need a Nonmarket Modernist Project |url=https://jacobin.com/2023/12/evgeny-morozov-interview-technology-sovereignty-global-south-development-cybersyn |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Jacobin |language=en-US |quote=...past efforts at such cooperation that had technological sovereignty as their goal, the Andean Pact being the foremost example. Signed by five nations in Peru, this pact’s main objective was to overcome external trade barriers and promote regional cooperation to foster industrialization and economic development. Orlando Letelier, Chile’s foreign minister under Allende, led the negotiations, highlighting the need to address the exploitation derived from technological property and dependence on foreign companies. Letelier proposed the creation of something like a technological equivalent of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Andean Pact, to facilitate developing countries’ access to technological advances and patents.}}

• Current members:
• {{flagcountry|Bolivia}} (1969)
• {{flagcountry|Colombia}} (1969)
• {{flagcountry|Peru}} (1969)
• {{flagcountry|Ecuador}} (1969)
• Associate members:In the framework of the Union of South American Nations and/or Mercosur-CAN cooperation agreements
• {{flagcountry|Argentina}} (2005)
• {{flagcountry|Brazil}} (2005)
• {{flagcountry|Paraguay}} (2005)
• {{flagcountry|Uruguay}} (2005)
• {{flagcountry|Chile}} (2006)
• Observer countries:{{cite web|url=http://www.comunidadandina.org/Quienes.aspx|title=SOMOS COMUNIDAD ANDINA|access-date=2014-07-12|publisher=Andean Community of Nations|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724092338/http://www.comunidadandina.org/Quienes.aspx|archive-date=24 July 2013|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=Le Maroc obtient le statut de membre observateur au sein de la Communauté andine des Nations|url=http://www.mapexpress.ma/actualite/activite-gouvernementale/maroc-obtient-statut-membre-observateur-au-sein-communaute-andine-nations/|access-date=2020-07-09|website=MAP Express|language=fr-FR}}{{Cite web|title=Türkiye welcomes observer status in Andean Community|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/turkiye-welcomes-observer-status-in-andean-community/2676613|access-date=2022-09-15|website=Anadolu Agency|language=en-EN}}{{Cite web |title=Announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the acceptance of Greece's request for observer status in the Andean Community of Nations (CAN) (17.06.2023) |url=https://www.mfa.gr/en/current-affairs/statements-speeches/announcement-by-the-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-regarding-the-acceptance-of-greeces-request-for-observer-status-in-the-andean-community-of-nations-can-17062023.html |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Greece)}}
• {{flagcountry|Spain}}
• {{flagcountry|Morocco}}
• {{flagcountry|Turkey}}
• {{Flagcountry|Greece}}
• Former full members:
• {{flagcountry|Venezuela}} (1973–2006), joined Mercosur
• {{flagcountry|Chile}} (full member 1969–1976, observer 1976–2006, associate member since 2006)

{{Update|date=June 2022}}

{{Supranational American bodies|size=400px|align=right}}

The Andean Community and Mercosur comprise the two main trading blocs of South America. In 1999, these organizations began negotiating a merger with a view to creating a "South American Free Trade Area" (SAFTA). On 8 December 2004, the Andean Community (CAN) signed a cooperation agreement with Mercosur and they published a joint letter of intention for future negotiations towards integrating all of South America in a Union of South American Nations (USAN), patterned after the European Union.{{cite web |title=Andean Community-MERCOSUR |url=http://www.sice.oas.org/tpd/AND_MER/AND_MER_e.asp |website=SICE Foreign Trade Information System |publisher=The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States |access-date=May 6, 2024|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208150156/http://www.sice.oas.org/tpd/AND_MER/AND_MER_e.asp |archive-date=December 8, 2023}}

During 2005, Venezuela decided to join Mercosur. Venezuela's official position first appeared to be that, by joining Mercosur, further steps could be taken towards integrating both trade blocs.{{Citation needed|date=April 2013}} CAN Secretary General Allan Wagner stated that the Venezuelan Foreign Minister Alí Rodríguez had declared that Venezuela did not intend to leave the CAN, and its simultaneous membership to both blocs marked the beginning of their integration.{{cite web |url=http://www.eluniversal.com/2005/12/08/msur_ava_08A642103.shtml |title= Secretario general de la CAN: Es positivo el ingreso de Venezuela al Mercosur |publisher=The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States|language=es|access-date=December 8, 2005|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311041215/https://www.eluniversal.com/2005/12/08/msur_ava_08A642103.shtml |archive-date=March 11, 2008}}

However some analysts interpreted that Venezuela might eventually leave the CAN in the process.{{cite news|last=Prada |first=Paulo |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/08/business/worldbusiness/08trade.html |title=South American Trade Bloc Moves to Admit Venezuela |work=The New York Times |date=8 December 2005 |access-date=2008-12-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119193033/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/08/business/worldbusiness/08trade.html |archive-date=19 January 2013 |url-status=live }} As Colombia and Peru signed free trade agreements with the United States, in protest the Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez indeed announced in April 2006 his country's withdrawal from the CAN, stating that the Community is "dead".{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000086&sid=akFZvMSnew8s |title= Venezuela to Withdraw From Andean Free Trade Group|department=Latin America |work=Bloomberg.com |date=2006-04-19 |access-date=2008-12-24}} Officials in Colombia and Peru expressed their disagreement with this view, as did representatives from Venezuela's industrial sector (Conindustria).{{cite web|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/04/20/eco_ava_20A695825.shtml |title= Conindustria: "Inevitable" y negativa salida de Venezuela de la CAN |language=es|publisher=Eluniversal.com |date=2006-04-20 |access-date=2008-12-24}}

In spite of this announcement, Venezuela still had not formally completed all the necessary withdrawal procedures. According to Venezuela's Commerce Minister María Cristina Iglesias, the entire process was going to take up five years. Until then, Venezuela and its partners would remain bound by the effects of the community's preexisting commercial agreements.{{cite web|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/04/22/eco_ava_22A697119.shtml |title= Secretario general de la CAN espera que convoquen cita sobre Venezuela|language=es|publisher=Eluniversal.com |date=2006-04-22 |access-date=2008-12-24}}

File:Aguas territoriales Comunidad andina.svg of the member states of the Andean Community. Considering them, the total area of the Andean Community is 6 573 757 km².]]

During a visit to Colombia in August 2007, President Hugo Chávez was asked by the presidents of Ecuador and Bolivia to rejoin the Andean Community, and he responded that he would agree.{{Citation needed|date=April 2013}} Meanwhile, at that time the Mercosur's relations with Venezuela were weakening as Mercosur was not agreeing with some of the Hugo Chávez's proposals.{{cite news|url=http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/CMS-3702910 |title=Vocero de las Farc se reunirá en Venezuela con Hugo Chávez para hablar sobre acuerdo humanitario |publisher=Eltiempo.com |date=2007-08-31 |access-date=2008-12-24}}

Eventually Venezuela achieved the full membership of the Mercosur in 2012, making the Mercosur bigger in number of members than the CAN for the first time.

In addition to CAN, Bolivia is also a member of the WTO, UNASUR, and ALBA. Its attitude is considered crucial to relations between UNASUR and ALBA specifically, says Marion Hörmann, since Bolivia is traditionally seen as a mediator between the Andean countries and the rest of South America.Marion Hörmann, "[http://www.inwent.org/ez/articles/168821/index.en.shtml Key Role for Bolivia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927084954/http://www.inwent.org/ez/articles/168821/index.en.shtml |date=2011-09-27 }}" D+C Development and Cooperation, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, 2010/03, 103–105.

Furthermore, on 7 December 2012, the Bolivian nation was accepted by the Mercosur countries to start the incorporation protocols to achieve the Mercosur full membership in a matter of 4 years,{{cite web|url=http://en.mercopress.com/2012/12/08/bolivia-signs-mercosur-incorporation-protocol-and-becomes-sixth-member|title=Bolivia signs Mercosur incorporation protocol and becomes sixth member}} receiving the proclamation of an accessing member, and further consolidating itself as a strategic geopolitical nation.

IMAGE:HQ_of_Comunidad_Andina,_Lima.jpg of the Andean Community in Lima]]

• The groundwork for the Community was established in 1969 in the Cartagena Agreement, signed May 26th.{{Citation |last=Turner |first=Barry |title=Andean Community |date=2009 |work=The Statesman’s Yearbook 2010: The Politics, Cultures and Economies of the World |pages=61–61 |editor-last=Turner |editor-first=Barry |url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-349-58632-5_76 |access-date=2025-04-30 |place=London |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-1-349-58632-5_76 |isbn=978-1-349-58632-5 |quote=On 26 May 1969 an agreement was signed by Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru establishing the Cartagena Agreement (also referred to as the Andean Pact or the Andean Group). Chile withdrew from the Group in 1976. Venezuela, which was actively involved, did not sign the agreement until 1973. In 1997 Peru announced its withdrawal for five years. In 2006 Venezuela left as a result of Colombia and Peru signing bilateral trade agreements with the USA.}}
• In 1973, Venezuela joins the Andean Pact.
• In 1976, Augusto Pinochet withdrew Chile from the Andean Pact claiming economic incompatibilities.{{Cite news |first=Juan |last=de Onis |date=1976-10-07 |title=Chile Is Pulling Out of Andean Pact |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/10/07/archives/chile-is-pulling-out-of-andean-pact.html |access-date=2025-04-30 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}
• In 1979, the treaty creating the Court of Justice was signed, and the Andean Parliament which in principle was located in Lima, increated and the Andean Council of Foreign Ministers were created.
• In 1981 the Andean Parliament moves to Bogotá.
• In 1983, the treaty creating the Court of Justice entered into effect
• In 1991, the presidents approved the open skies policy and agree to intensify integration
• In 1992, Peru temporarily suspended its obligations under the Liberalization Program
• In 1993, the Free Trade Zone entered into full operation for Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela
• In 1994, the Common External Tariff was approved
• In 1996, the Cartagena Agreement Commission approved the regulatory context for the establishment, operation, and exploitation of the Simón Bolívar Satellite System
• In March 1996, through the Trujillo Protocol, institutional reforms were introduced: The Andean Community was created and the Andean Integration System was established.
• In 1997, an agreement was reached for Peru's gradual incorporation into the Andean Free Trade Zone
• In 1998, the Framework Agreement for the creation of a Free Trade Area between the Andean Community and the Mercosur was signed in Buenos Aires
• In 2000, a meeting of the South American Presidents, at which the Andean Community Heads of State and Mercosur decide to launch negotiations for establishing a free trade area between the two blocs as rapidly as possible and by January 2002 at the latest
• In August 2003, the Andean Community and Mercosur Foreign Ministers, during a meeting in Montevideo at which the CAN delivered a working proposal containing guidelines for the negotiation, reaffirmed their governments' political determination to move ahead with the negotiation of a free trade agreement between the two blocs
• In April 2006 President Hugo Chávez announced that Venezuela would withdraw from the Andean Community, claiming the FTA agreements signed by Colombia and Peru with the United States caused irreparable damage to the community
• On 23 March 2017, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Andean Community and the Eurasian Economic Union{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurasiancommission.org/en/nae/news/Pages/30-03-2017-4.aspx|title=The EEC and the Andean Community General Secretariat signed a Memorandum of Understanding|website=eurasiancommission.org}}
• On 21 February 2020, disputed interim president of Venezuela Juan Guaidó announced Venezuela's reentry into CAN{{Cite web|url=http://www.lapatilla.com/2020/02/21/comunidad-andina-de-naciones/|title=Guaidó anunció el reingreso de Venezuela a la Comunidad Andina de Naciones (Comunicado)|date=2020-02-21|website=La Patilla|language=es-ES|access-date=2020-02-23}}

• Andean Presidential Council
• Andean Foreign Relations Ministers Council (Lima, Peru)
• Commission (Lima, Peru)
• Headquarters (Lima, Peru)
• Andean Court of Justice (Quito, Ecuador)
• Andean Parliament (Bogotá, Colombia)
• Latin American Reserve Fund (Bogotá, Colombia and Lima, Peru)
• Simón Bolívar Andean University (Sucre, Bolivia and Quito, Ecuador)
• Andean Health Organization (Lima, Peru)
• CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (Caracas, Venezuela)

{{main|Secretary-General of the Andean Community}}

• Sebastián Alegrett (Venezuela) 1997–2002
• Guillermo Fernández de Soto (Colombia) 2002–2004
• Edward Allan Wagner Tizón (Peru) 2004–2006
• Alfredo Fuentes Hernández (Colombia), interim 2006–2007
• Freddy Ehlers (Ecuador), 2007Andean Community of Nations, 18 Jan 2007, [http://www.comunidadandina.org/ingles/press/press/np18-1-07.htm Ecuadorian Freddy Ehlers is elected CAN Secretary General] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729224104/http://www.comunidadandina.org/ingles/press/press/np18-1-07.htm |date=2013-07-29 }}–2010Andean Community of Nations, 20 Apr 2010, {{in lang|es}} [http://www.comunidadandina.org/prensa/notas/np20-4-10.htm Freddy Ehlers renuncia a la Secretaría General de la CAN] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425064230/http://www.comunidadandina.org/prensa/notas/np20-4-10.htm |date=25 April 2010 }}
• Adalid Contreras Baspineiro (Bolivia), interim 2010–2011, 2011–2013{{in lang|es}} Andean Community of Nations, 19 Feb 2013, [http://www.comunidadandina.org/Prensa.aspx?id=3347&accion=detalle&cat=NP Boliviano Adalid Contreras concluye su gestión como Secretario General de la CAN con un llamado a fortalecer la integración] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218002830/http://www.comunidadandina.org/Prensa.aspx?id=3347&accion=detalle&cat=NP |date=18 February 2015 }}
• Pablo Guzmán Laugier (Bolivia), 2013–2016 {{in lang|es}} Andean Community of Nations, 15 Jun 2013,{{cite web|url=http://www.comunidadandina.org/Prensa.aspx?id%3D3430%26accion%3Ddetalle%26cat%3DAF%26title%3Dboliviano-pablo-guzman-es-elegido-como-secretario-general-de-la-can |title=Boliviano Pablo Guzmán es elegido como Secretario General de la CAN|ARCHIVO FOTOGRAFICO | Prensa | Portal de la Comunidad Andina |access-date=2014-07-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218001723/http://www.comunidadandina.org/Prensa.aspx?id=3430&accion=detalle&cat=AF&title=boliviano-pablo-guzman-es-elegido-como-secretario-general-de-la-can |archive-date=2015-02-18 }}
• Walker San Miguel (Bolivia), 2016–present {{in lang|es}} Andean Community of Nations, 11 Jan 2016,{{cite web|url=http://www.comunidadandina.org/Prensa.aspx?id%3D3652%26accion%3Ddetalle%26cat%3DNP%26title%3Dwalker-san-miguel-es- |title=Walker San Miguel es elegido como Secretario General de la Comunidad Andina|NOTAS DE PRENSA | Prensa | Portal de la Comunidad Andina |access-date=2016-01-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322052610/http://www.comunidadandina.org/Prensa.aspx?id=3652&accion=detalle&cat=NP&title=walker-san-miguel-es- |archive-date=2016-03-22 }}

Since 1 January 2005, the citizens of the member countries can enter the other Andean Community member states without the requirement of a visa. Travellers should present the authorities their national ID cards.{{Cite web |last=Schacknies |first=Carly |date=2021-05-17 |title=Andean Community Approves Reciprocal Movement and Residence Rights |url=https://eiglaw.com/andean-community-approves-reciprocal-movement-and-residence-rights/ |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=Erickson Immigration Group |language=en-US}}

Visitors to Venezuela will have to present their passports; they will then receive the Andean Migration Card (Tarjeta Andina de Migración), in which the time of temporary residence in the country is stated.

{{main|Andean passport}}

The Andean passport was created in June 2001 pursuant to Decisión 504. This stipulates the issuing of a passport based on a standard model which contains harmonised features of nomenclature and security. The passport is effective in Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia (Bolivia since early 2006).

{{Portal|South America|Andes|Colombia|Ecuador|Peru|Bolivia}}

• Central American Common Market
• Community of Latin American and Caribbean States
• Free Trade Area of the Americas
• Federation of the Andes
• Union of South American Nations
• Rules of Origin
• Market access
• Free-trade area
• Tariffs

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Andean Community}}

• [http://www.comunidadandina.org/ Official Andean Community website]—{{in lang|es}}
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4079505.stm BBC.uk: "South America launches trading bloc" ]—{{in lang|en}}

{{Andean Community of Nations}}

{{Union of South American Nations topics}}

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