Union of South American Nations in Mitad del Mundo, Ecuador, where the cornerstone was laid for the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Union. In April 2018, six countries suspended membership: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru. In August 2018, Colombia announced its withdrawal from the organization. At the Third South American Summit on 8 December 2004, presidents or representatives from 12 South American nations signed the "Cusco Declaration", a two-page statement of intent announcing the foundation of the South American Community. Panama and Mexico attended the signing ceremony as observers in Brazil. The mechanics of the new entity came out of the
Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations The Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations is the legal representative of the Secretariat of the Union of South American Nations (USAN). The position was established by the UNASUR Constitutive Treaty and the first Secretary General was designated on 4 May 2010. The Secretary General of UNASUR is proposed by the Foreign Ministers council, and designated by the Heads of State and Government council for a two-year term, renewable once. A Secretary General cannot be of the same nationality in succession. The Secretary General exercises the legal representation