TREATY FOR THE PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN LATIN AMERICA
Signed at Mexico City February 14, 1967
Entered into force April 22, 1968
Preamble
In the name of their peoples and faithfully interpreting their desires and aspirations, the
Governments of the States which sign the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin
America,
Desiring to contribute, so far as lies in their power, towards ending the armaments race,
especially in the field of nuclear weapons, and towards strengthening a world at peace, based on
the sovereign equality of States, mutual respect and good neighbourliness,
Recalling that the United Nations General Assembly, in its Resolution 808 (IX), adopted
unanimously as one of the three points of a coordinated programme of disarmament "the total
prohibition of the use and manufacture of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction of
every type,"
Recalling that military denuclearized zones are not an end in themselves but rather a means for
achieving general and complete disarmament at a later stage,
Recalling United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1911 (XVIII), which established that the
measures that should be agreed upon for the denuclearization of Latin America should be taken
"in the light of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and of regional agreements,"
Recalling United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2028 (XX), which established the
principle of an acceptable balance of mutual responsibilities and duties for the nuclear and
non-nuclear powers, and
Recalling that the Charter of the Organization of American States proclaims that it is an essential
purpose of the Organization to strengthen the peace and security of the hemisphere,
Convinced:
That the incalculable destructive power of nuclear weapons has made it imperative that the legal
prohibition of war should be strictly observed in practice if the survival of civilization and of
mankind itself is to be assured,
That nuclear weapons, whose terrible effects are suffered, indiscriminately and inexorably, by
military forces and civilian population alike, constitute, through the persistence of the
radioactivity they release, an attack on the integrity of the human species and ultimately may
even render the whole earth uninhabitable,
That general and complete disarmament under effective international control is a vital matter
which all the peoples of the world equally demand,
That the proliferation of nuclear weapons, which seems inevitable unless States, in the exercise
of their sovereign rights, impose restrictions on themselves in order to prevent it, would make
any agreement on disarmament enormously difficult and would increase the danger of the
outbreak of a nuclear conflagration,
That the establishment of militarily denuclearized zones is closely linked with the maintenance
of peace and security in the respective regions,
That the military denuclearization of vast geographical zones, adopted by the sovereign decision
of the States comprised therein, will exercise a beneficial influence on other regions where
similar conditions exist,
That the privileged situation of the signatory States, whose territories are wholly free from
nuclear weapons, imposes upon them the inescapable duty of preserving that situation both in
their own interest and for the good of mankind,
That the existence of nuclear weapons in any country of Latin America would make it a target for
possible nuclear attacks and would inevitably set off, throughout the region, a ruinous race in
nuclear weapons which would involve the unjustifiable diversion, for warlike purposes, of the
limited resources required for economic and social development,
That the foregoing reasons, together with the traditional peace-loving outlook of Latin America,
give rise to an inescapable necessity that nuclear energy should be used in that region exclusively
for peaceful purposes, and that the Latin American countries should use their right to the greatest
and most equitable possible access to this new source of energy in order to expedite the
economic and social development of their peoples,
Convinced finally:
That the military denuclearization of Latin America -- being understood to mean the undertaking
entered into internationally in this Treaty to keep their territories forever free from nuclear
weapons -- will constitute a measure which will spare their peoples from the squandering of their
limited resources on nuclear armaments and will protect them against possible nuclear attacks on
their territories, and will also constitute a significant contribution towards preventing the
proliferation of nuclear weapons and a powerful factor for general and complete disarmament,
and
That Latin America, faithful to its tradition of universality, must not only endeavour to banish
from its homelands the scourge of a nuclear war, but must also strive to promote the well-being
and advancement of its peoples, at the same time co-operating in the fulfillment of the ideals of
mankind, that is to say, in the consolidation of a permanent peace based on equal rights,
economic fairness and social justice for all, in accordance with the principles and purposes set
forth in the Charter of the United Nations and in the Charter of the Organization of American
States.
Have agreed as follows:
Obligations
Article 1
1. The Contracting Parties hereby undertake to use exclusively for peaceful purposes the nuclear
material and facilities which are under their jurisdiction, and to prohibit and prevent in their
respective territories:
(a) The testing, use, manufacture, production or acquisition by any means whatsoever of any
nuclear weapons, by the Parties themselves, directly or indirectly, on behalf of anyone else or in
any other way, and
(b) The receipt, storage, installation, deployment and any form of possession of any nuclear
weapons, directly or indirectly, by the Parties themselves, by anyone on their behalf or in any
other way.
2. The Contracting Parties also undertake to refrain from engaging in, encouraging or
authorizing, directly or indirectly, or in any way participating in the testing, use, manufacture,
production, possession or control of any nuclear weapon.
Definition of the Contracting Parties
Article 2
For the purposes of this Treaty, the Contracting Parties are those for whom the Treaty is in force.
Definition of territory
Article 3
For the purposes of this Treaty, the term "territory" shall include the territorial sea, air space and
any other space over which the State exercises sovereignty in accordance with its own
legislation.
Zone of application
Article 4
1. The zone of application of this Treaty is the whole of the territories for which the Treaty is in
force.
2. Upon fulfillment of the requirements of article 28, paragraph 1, the zone of application of this
Treaty shall also be that which is situated in the western hemisphere within the following limits
(except the continental part of the territory of the United States of America and its territorial
waters): starting at a point located at 35 north latitude, 75 west longitude; from this point
directly southward to a point at 30 north latitude, 75 west longitude; from there, directly
eastward to a point at 30 north latitude, 50 west longitude; from there, along a loxodromic line
to a point at 5 north latitude, 20 west longitude; from there directly southward to a point 60
south latitude, 20 west longitude; from there, directly westward to a point at 60 south latitude,
115 west longitude; from there, directly northward to a point at 0 latitude, 115 west longitude;
from there, along a loxodromic line to a point at 35 north latitude, 150 west longitude; from
there, directly eastward to a point at 35 north latitude, 75 west longitude.
Definition of nuclear weapons
Article 5
For the purposes of this Treaty, a nuclear weapon is any device which is capable of releasing
nuclear energy in an uncontrolled manner and which has a group of characteristics that are
appropriate for use for warlike purposes. An instrument that may be used for the transport or
propulsion of the device is not included in this definition if it is separable from the device and
not an indivisible part thereof.
Meeting of signatories
Article 6
At the request of any of the signatory States or if the Agency established by article 7 should so
decide, a meeting of all the signatories may be convoked to consider in common questions which
may affect the very essence of this instrument, including possible amendments to it. In either
case, the meeting will be convoked by the General Secretary.
Organization
Article 7
1. In order to ensure compliance with the obligations of this Treaty, the Contracting Parties
hereby establish an international organization to be known as the "Agency for the Prohibition of
Nuclear Weapons in Latin America," hereinafter referred to as "the Agency." Only the
Contracting Parties shall be affected by its decisions.
2. The Agency shall be responsible for the holding of periodic or extraordinary consultations
among Member States on matters relating to the purposes, measures and procedures set forth in
this Treaty and to the supervision of compliance with the obligations arising therefrom.
3. The Contracting Parties agree to extend to the Agency full and prompt cooperation in
accordance with the provisions of this Treaty, of any agreements they may conclude with the
Agency and of any agreements the Agency may conclude with any other international
organization or body.
4. The headquarters of the Agency shall be in Mexico City.
Organs
Article 8
1. There are hereby established as principal organs of the Agency a General Conference, a
Council and a Secretariat.
2. Such subsidiary organs as are considered necessary by the General Conference may be
established within the purview of this Treaty.
The General Conference
Article 9
1. The General Conference, the supreme organ of the Agency, shall be composed of all the
Contracting Parties; it shall hold regular sessions every two years, and may also hold special
sessions whenever this Treaty so provides or, in the opinion of the Council, the circumstances so
require.
2. The General Conference:
(a) May consider and decide on any matters or questions covered by this Treaty, within the limits
thereof, including those referring to powers and functions of any organ provided for in this
Treaty.
(b) Shall establish procedures for the control system to ensure observance of this Treaty in
accordance with its provisions.
(c) Shall elect the Members of the Council and the General Secretary.
(d) May remove the General Secretary from office if the proper functioning of the Agency so
requires.
(e) Shall receive and consider the biennial and special reports submitted by the Council and the
General Secretary.
(f) Shall initiate and consider studies designed to facilitate the optimum fulfillment of the aims of
this Treaty, without prejudice to the power of the General Secretary independently to carry out
similar studies for submission to and consideration by the Conference.
(g) Shall be the organ competent to authorize the conclusion of agreements with Governments
and other international organizations and bodies.
3. The General Conference shall adopt the Agencys budget and fix the scale of financial
contributions to be paid by Member States, taking into account the systems and criteria used for
the same purpose by the United Nations.
4. The General Conference shall elect its officers for each session and may establish such
subsidiary organs as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions.
5. Each Member of the Agency shall have one vote. The decisions of the General Conference
shall be taken by a two-thirds majority of the Members present and voting in the case of matters
relating to the control system and measures referred to in article 20, the admission of new
Members, the election or removal of the General Secretary, adoption of the budget and matters
related thereto. Decisions on other matters, as well as procedural questions and also
determination of which questions must be decided by a two-thirds majority, shall be taken by a
simple majority of the Members present and voting.
6. The General Conference shall adopt its own rules of procedure.
The Council
Article 10
1. The Council shall be composed of five Members of the Agency elected by the General
Conference from among the Contracting Parties, due account being taken of equitable geographic
distribution.
2. The Members of the Council shall be elected for a term of four years. However, in the first
election three will be elected for two years. Outgoing Members may not be reelected for the
following period unless the limited number of States for which the Treaty is in force so requires.
3. Each Member of the Council shall have one representative.
4. The Council shall be so organized as to be able to function continuously.
5. In addition to the functions conferred upon it by this Treaty and to those which may be
assigned to it by the General Conference, the Council shall, through the General Secretary,
ensure the proper operation of the control system in accordance with the provisions of this Treaty
and with the decisions adopted by the General Conference.
6. The Council shall submit an annual report on its work to the General Conference as well as
such special reports as it deems necessary or which the General Conference requests of it.
7. The Council shall elect its officers for each session.
8. The decisions of the Council shall be taken by a simple majority of its Members present and
voting.
9. The Council shall adopt its own rules of procedure.
The Secretariat
Article 11
1. The Secretariat shall consist of a General Secretary, who shall be the chief administrative
officer of the Agency, and of such staff as the Agency may require. The term of office of the
General Secretary shall be four years and he may be re-elected for a single additional term. The
General Secretary may not be a national of the country in which the Agency has its headquarters.
In case the office of General Secretary becomes vacant, a new election shall be held to fill the
office for the remainder of the term.
2. The staff of the Secretariat shall be appointed by the General Secretary, in accordance with
rules laid down by the General Conference.
3. In addition to the functions conferred upon him by this Treaty and to those which may be
assigned to him by the General Conference, the General Secretary shall ensure, as provided by
article 10, paragraph 5, the proper operation of the control system established by this Treaty, in
accordance with the provisions of the Treaty and the decisions taken by the General Conference.
4. The General Secretary shall act in that capacity in all meetings of the General Conference and
of the Council and shall make an annual report to both bodies on the work of the Agency and any
special reports requested by the General Conference or the Council or which the General
Secretary may deem desirable.
5. The General Secretary shall establish the procedures for distributing to all Contracting Parties
information received by the Agency from governmental sources and such information from
non-governmental sources as may be of interest to the Agency.
6. In the performance of their duties the General Secretary and the staff shall not seek or receive
instructions from any Government or from any other authority external to the Agency and shall
refrain from any action which might reflect on their position as international officials responsible
only to the Agency; subject to their responsibility to the Agency, they shall not disclose any
industrial secrets or other confidential information coming to their knowledge by reason of their
official duties in the Agency.
7. Each of the Contracting Parties undertakes to respect the exclusively international character of
the responsibilities of the General Secretary and the staff and not to seek to influence them in the
discharge of their responsibilities.
Control system
Article 12
1. For the purpose of verifying compliance with the obligations entered into by the Contracting
Parties in accordance with article 1, a control system shall be established which shall be put into
effect in accordance with the provisions of articles 13-18 of this Treaty.
2. The control system shall be used in particular for the purpose of verifying:
(a) That devices, services and facilities intended for peaceful uses of nuclear energy are not used
in the testing or manufacture of nuclear weapons,
(b) That none of the activities prohibited in article 1 of this Treaty are carried out in the territory
of the Contracting Parties with nuclear materials or weapons introduced from abroad, and
(c) That explosions for peaceful purposes are compatible with article 18 of this Treaty.
IAEA safeguards
Article 13
Each Contracting Party shall negotiate multilateral or bilateral agreements with the International
Atomic Energy Agency for the application of its safeguards to its nuclear activities. Each
Contracting Party shall initiate negotiations within a period of 180 days after the date of the
deposit of its instrument of ratification of this Treaty. These agreements shall enter into force, for
each Party, not later than eighteen months after the date of the initiation of such negotiations
except in case of unforeseen circumstances or force majeure.
Reports of the Parties
Article 14
1. The Contracting Parties shall submit to the Agency and to the International Atomic Energy
Agency, for their information, semi-annual reports stating that no activity prohibited under this
Treaty has occurred in their respective territories.
2. The Contracting Parties shall simultaneously transmit to the Agency a copy of any report they
may submit to the International Atomic Energy Agency which relates to matters that are the
subject of this Treaty and to the application of safeguards.
3. The Contracting Parties shall also transmit to the Organization of American States, for its
information, any reports that may be of interest to it, in accordance with the obligations
established by the Inter-American System.
Special reports requested by the General Secretary
Article 15
1. With the authorization of the Council, the General Secretary may request any of the
Contracting Parties to provide the Agency with complementary or supplementary information
regarding any event or circumstance connected with compliance with this Treaty, explaining his
reasons. The Contracting Parties undertake to co-operate promptly and fully with the General
Secretary.
2. The General Secretary shall inform the Council and the Contracting Parties forthwith of such
requests and of the respective replies.
Special inspections
Article 16
1. The International Atomic Energy Agency and the Council established by this Treaty have the
power of carrying out special inspections in the following cases:
(a) In the case of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in accordance with the agreements
referred to in article 13 of this Treaty;
(b) In the case of the Council:
(i) When so requested, the reasons for the request being stated, by any Party which suspects that
some activity prohibited by this Treaty has been carried out or is about to be carried out, either in
the territory of any other Party or in any other place on such latter Partys behalf, the Council
shall immediately arrange for such an inspection in accordance with article 10, paragraph 5.
(ii) When requested by any Party which has been suspected of or charged with having violated
this Treaty, the Council shall immediately arrange for the special inspection requested in
accordance with article 10, paragraph 5.
The above requests will be made to the Council through the General Secretary.
2. The costs and expenses of any special inspection carried out under paragraph 1, sub-paragraph
(b), sections (i) and (ii) of this article shall be borne by the requesting Party or Parties, except
where the Council concludes on the basis of the report on the special inspection that, in view of
the circumstances existing in the case, such costs and expenses should be borne by the agency.
3. The General Conference shall formulate the procedures for the organization and execution of
the special inspections carried out in accordance with paragraph 1, sub-paragraph (b), sections (i)
and (ii) of this article.
4. The Contracting Parties undertake to grant the inspectors carrying out such special inspections
full and free access to all places and all information which may be necessary for the performance
of their duties and which are directly and intimately connected with the suspicion of violation of
this Treaty. If so requested by the authorities of the Contracting Party in whose territory the
inspection is carried out, the inspectors designated by the General Conference shall be
accompanied by representatives of said authorities, provided that this does not in any way delay
or hinder the work of the inspectors.
5. The Council shall immediately transmit to all the Parties, through the General Secretary, a
copy of any report resulting from special inspections.
6. Similarly, the Council shall send through the General Secretary to the Secretary-General of the
United Nations, for transmission to the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly,
and to the Council of the Organization of American States, for its information, a copy of any
report resulting from any special inspection carried out in accordance with paragraph 1,
sub-paragraph (b), sections (i) and (ii) of this article.
7. The Council may decide, or any Contracting Party may request, the convening of a special
session of the General Conference for the purpose of considering the reports resulting from any
special inspection. In such a case, the General Secretary shall take immediate steps to convene
the special session requested.
8. The General Conference, convened in special session under this article, may make
recommendations to the Contracting Parties and submit reports to the Secretary-General of the
United Nations to be transmitted to the United Nations Security Council and the General
Assembly.
Use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes
Article 17
Nothing in the provisions of this Treaty shall prejudice the rights of the Contracting Parties, in
conformity with this Treaty, to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, in particular for their
economic development and social progress.
Explosions for peaceful purposes
Article 18
1. The Contracting Parties may carry out explosions of nuclear devices for peaceful purposes --
including explosions which involve devices similar to those used in nuclear weapons -- or
collaborate with third parties for the same purpose, provided that they do so in accordance with
the provisions of this article and the other articles of the Treaty, particularly articles 1 and 5.
2. Contracting Parties intending to carry out, or to cooperate in carrying out, such an explosion
shall notify the Agency and the International Atomic Energy Agency, as far in advance as the
circumstances require, of the date of the explosion and shall at the same time provide the
following information:
(a) The nature of the nuclear device and the source from which it was obtained,
(b) The place and purpose of the planned explosion,
(c) The procedures which will be followed in order to comply with paragraph 3 of this article,
(d) The expected force of the device, and
(e) The fullest possible information on any possible radioactive fall-out that may result from the
explosion or explosions, and measures which will be taken to avoid danger to the population,
flora, fauna and territories of any other Party or Parties.
3. The General Secretary and the technical personnel designated by the Council and the
International Atomic Energy Agency may observe all the preparations, including the explosion
of the device, and shall have unrestricted access to any area in the vicinity of the site of the
explosion in order to ascertain whether the device and the procedures followed during the
explosion are in conformity with the information supplied under paragraph 2 of this article and
the other provisions of this Treaty.
4. The Contracting Parties may accept the collaboration of third parties for the purpose set forth
in paragraph 1 of the present article, in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3 thereof.
Relations with other international organizations
Article 19
1. The Agency may conclude such agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency as
are authorized by the General Conference and as it considers likely to facilitate the efficient
operation of the control system established by this Treaty.
2. The Agency may also enter into relations with any international organization or body,
especially any which may be established in the future to supervise disarmament or measures for
the control of armaments in any part of the world.
3. The Contracting Parties may, if they see fit, request the advice of the International American
Nuclear Energy Commission on all technical matters connected with the application of this
Treaty with which the Commission is competent to deal under its Statute.
Measures in the event of violation of the Treaty
Article 20
1. The General Conference shall take note of all cases in which, in its opinion, any Contracting
Party is not complying fully with its obligations under this Treaty and shall draw the matter to
the attention of the Party concerned, making such recommendations as it deems appropriate.
2. If, in its opinion, such non-compliance constitutes a violation of this Treaty which might
endanger peace and security, the General Conference shall report thereon simultaneously to the
United Nations Security Council and the General Assembly through the Secretary-General of the
United Nations, and to the Council of the Organization of American States. The General
Conference shall likewise report to the International Atomic Energy Agency for such purposes as
are relevant in accordance with its Statute.
United Nations and Organization of American States
Article 21
None of the provisions of this Treaty shall be construed as impairing the rights and obligations of
the Parties under the Charter of the United Nations or, in the case of States Members of the
Organization of American States, under existing regional treaties.
Privileges and immunities
Article 22
1. The Agency shall enjoy in the territory of each of the Contracting Parties such legal capacity
and such privileges and immunities as may be necessary for the exercise of its functions and the
fulfillment of its purposes.
2. Representatives of the Contracting Parties accredited to the Agency and officials of the
Agency shall similarly enjoy such privileges and immunities as are necessary for the
performance of their functions.
3. The Agency may conclude agreements with the Contracting Parties with a view to determining
the details of the application of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article.
Notification of other agreements
Article 23
Once this Treaty has entered into force, the Secretariat shall be notified immediately of any
international agreement concluded by any of the Contracting Parties on matters with which this
Treaty is concerned; the Secretariat shall register it and notify the other Contracting Parties.
Settlement of disputes
Article 24
Unless the Parties concerned agree on another mode of peaceful settlement, any question or
dispute concerning the interpretation or application of this Treaty which is not settled shall be
referred to the International Court of Justice with the prior consent of the Parties to the
controversy.
Signature
Article 25
1. This Treaty shall be open indefinitely for signature by:
(a) All the Latin American Republics, and
(b) All other sovereign States situated in their entirety south of latitude 35o north in the western
hemisphere; and, except as provided in paragraph 2 of this article, all such States which become
sovereign, when they have been admitted by the General Conference.
2. The General Conference shall not take any decision regarding the admission of a political
entity part or all of whose territory is the subject, prior to the date when this Treaty is opened for
signature, of a dispute or claim between an extra-continental country and one or more Latin
American States, so long as the dispute has not been settled by peaceful means.
Ratification and deposit
Article 26
1. This Treaty shall be subject to ratification by signatory States in accordance with their
respective constitutional procedures.
2. This Treaty and the instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Government of the
Mexican United States, which is hereby designated the Depositary Government.
3. The Depositary Government shall send certified copies of this Treaty to the Governments of
signatory States and shall notify them of the deposit of each instrument of ratification.
Reservations
Article 27
This Treaty shall not be subject to reservations.
Entry into force
Article 28
1. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of this article, this Treaty shall enter into force among
the States that have ratified it as soon as the following requirements have been met:
(a) Deposit of the instruments of ratification of this Treaty with the Depositary Government by
the Governments of the States mentioned in article 25 which are in existence on the date when
this Treaty is opened for signature and which are not affected by the provisions of article 25,
paragraph 2;
(b) Signature and ratification of Additional Protocol I annexed to this Treaty by all
extra-continental or continental States having de jure or de facto international responsibility for
territories situated in the zone of application of the Treaty;
(c) Signature and ratification of the Additional Protocol II annexed to this Treaty by all powers
possessing nuclear weapons;
(d) Conclusion of bilateral or multilateral agreements on the application of Safeguards System of
the International Atomic Energy Agency in accordance with article 13 of this Treaty.
2. All signatory States shall have the imprescriptible right to waive, wholly or in part, the
requirements laid down in the preceding paragraph. They may do so by means of a declaration
which shall be annexed to their respective instrument of ratification and which may be
formulated at the time of deposit of the instrument or subsequently. For those States which
exercise this right, this Treaty shall enter into force upon deposit of the declaration, or as soon as
those requirements have been met which have not been expressly waived.
3. As soon as this Treaty has entered into force in accordance with this provisions of paragraph 2
for eleven States, the Depositary Government shall convene a preliminary meeting of those
States in order that the Agency may be set up and commence its work.
4. After the entry into force of this Treaty for all the countries of the zone, the rise of a new
power possessing nuclear weapons shall have the effect of suspending the execution of this
Treaty for those countries which have ratified it without waiving requirements of paragraph 1,
sub-paragraph (c) of this article, and which request such suspension; the Treaty shall remain
suspended until the new power, on its own initiative or upon request by the General Conference,
ratifies the annexed Additional Protocol II.
Amendments
Article 29
1. Any Contracting Party may propose amendments to this Treaty and shall submit its proposals
to the Council through the General Secretary, who shall transmit them to all the other
Contracting Parties and, in addition, to all other signatories in accordance with article 6. The
Council, through the General Secretary, shall immediately following the meeting of signatories
convene a special session of the General Conference to examine the proposals made, for the
adoption of which a two-thirds majority of the Contracting Parties present and voting shall be
required.
2. Amendments adopted shall enter into force as soon as the requirements set forth in article 28
of this Treaty have been complied with.
Duration and denunciation
Article 30
1. This Treaty shall be of a permanent nature and shall remain in force indefinitely, but any
Party may denounce it by notifying the General Secretary of the Agency if, in the opinion of the
denouncing State, there have arisen or may arise circumstances connected with the content of this
Treaty or of the annexed Additional Protocols I and II which affect its supreme interests or the
peace and security of one or more Contracting Parties.
2. The denunciation shall take effect three months after the delivery to the General Secretary of
the Agency of the notification by the Government of the signatory State concerned. The General
Secretary shall immediately communicate such notification to the other Contracting Parties and
to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for the information of the United Nations Security
Council and the General Assembly. He shall also communicate it to the Secretary-General of the
Organization of American States.
Authentic texts and registration
Article 31
This Treaty, of which the Spanish, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese and Russian texts are
equally authentic, shall be registered by the Depositary Government in accordance with article
102 of the United Nations Charter. The Depositary Government shall notify the Secretary-General of the United Nations of the signatures, ratification and amendments relating to this
Treaty and shall communicate them to the Secretary-General of the Organization of American
States for its information.
Transitional Article
Denunciation of the declaration referred to article 28, paragraph 2, shall be subject to the same
procedures as the denunciation of this Treaty, except that it will take effect on the date of
delivery of the respective notification.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries, having deposited their full
powers, found in good and due form, sign this Treaty on behalf of their respective Governments.
DONE at Mexico, Distrito Federal, on the Fourteenth day of February, one thousand nine
hundred and sixty-seven.
ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL I TO THE TREATY FOR THE PROHIBITION OF
NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN LATIN AMERICA
Signed by the United States at Washington May 26, 1977
Ratification advised by U.S. Senate November 13, 1981
Ratified by U.S. President November 19, 1981
U.S. ratification deposited at Mexico City November 23, 1981
Proclaimed by U.S. President December 4, 1981
The undersigned Plenipotentiaries, furnished with full powers by their respective Governments,
Convinced that the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America, negotiated
and signed in accordance with the recommenda-tions of the General Assembly of the United
Nations in Resolution 1911 (XVIII) of 27 November 1963, represents an important step towards
ensuring the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons,
Aware that the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons is not an end in itself but, rather, a means of
achieving general and complete disarmament at a later stage, and
Desiring to contribute, so far as lies in their power, towards ending the armaments race,
especially in the field of nuclear weapons, and towards strengthening a world at peace, based on
mutual respect and sovereign equality of States,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1. To undertake to apply the statute of denuclearization in respect of warlike purposes as
defined in articles 1, 3, 5 and 13 of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin
America in territories for which, de jure or de facto, they are internationally responsible and
which lie within the limits of the geographical zone established in that Treaty.
Article 2. The duration of this Protocol shall be the same as that of the Treaty for the Prohibition
of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America of which this Protocol is an annex, and the provisions
regarding ratification and denunciation contained in the Treaty shall be applicable to it.
Article 3. This Protocol shall enter into force, for the States which have ratified it, on the date of
the deposit of their respective instruments of ratification.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries, having deposited their full
powers, found in good and due form, sign this Protocol on behalf of their respective
Governments.
ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL II TO THE TREATY FOR THE PROHIBITION OF
NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN LATIN AMERICA
Signed by the United States at Mexico City April 1, 1968
Ratification advised by U.S. Senate April 19, 1971
Ratified by U.S. President May 8, 1971
U.S. ratification deposited at Mexico City May 12, 1971
Proclaimed by U.S. President June 11, 1971
The undersigned Plenipotentiaries, furnished with full powers by their respective Governments,
Convinced that the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America, negotiated
and signed in accordance with the recommenda-tions of the General Assembly of the United
Nations in Resolution 1911 (XVIII) of 27 November 1963, represents an important step towards
ensuring the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons,
Aware that the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons is not an end in itself but, rather, a means of
achieving general and complete disarmament at a later stage, and
Desiring to contribute, so far as lies in their power, towards ending the armaments race,
especially in the field of nuclear weapons, and towards promoting and strengthening a world at
peace, based on mutual respect and sovereign equality of States,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1. The statute of denuclearization of Latin America in respect or warlike purposes, as
defined, delimited and set forth in the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin
America of which this instrument is an annex, shall be fully respected by the Parties to this
Protocol in all its express aims and provisions.
Article 2. The Governments represented by the undersigned Plenipotentiaries undertake,
therefore, not to contribute in any way to the performance of acts involving a violation of the
obligations of article 1 of the Treaty in the territories to which the Treaty applies in accordance
with article 4 thereof.
Article 3. The Governments represented by the undersigned Plenipotentiaries also undertake not
to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against the Contracting Parties of the Treaty for the
Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America.
Article 4. The duration of this Protocol shall be the same as that of the Treaty for the Prohibition
of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America of which this protocol is an annex, and the definitions of
territory and nuclear weapons set forth in articles 3 and 5 of the Treaty shall be applicable to this
Protocol, as well as the provisions regarding ratification, reservations, denunciation, authentic
texts and registration contained in articles 26, 27, 30 and 31 of the Treaty.
Article 5. This Protocol shall enter into force, for the States which have ratified it, on the date of
the deposit of their respective instruments of ratification.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries, having deposited their full
powers, found in good and due form, sign this Additional Protocol on behalf of their respective
Governments.
PROCLAMATION BY PRESIDENT NIXON ON RATIFICATION OF ADDITIONAL
PROTOCOL II TO THE TREATY FOR THE PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR
WEAPONS IN LATIN AMERICA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Considering that:
Additional Protocol II to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America,
done at the City of Mexico on February 14, 1967, was signed on behalf of the United States of
America on April 1, 1968, the text of which Protocol is word for word as follows:
[The text of the Protocol appears here.]
The Senate of the United States of America by its resolution of April 19, 1971, two-thirds of the
Senators present concurring, gave its advice and consent to the ratification of Additional Protocol
II, with the following understandings and declarations:
I
That the United States Government understands the reference in Article 3 of the Treaty to "its
own legislation" to relate only to such legislation as is compatible with the rules of international
law and as involves an exercise of sovereignty consistent with those rules, and accordingly that
ratification of Additional Protocol II by the United States Government could not be regarded as
implying recognition, for the purposes of this Treaty and its protocols or for any other purpose,
of any legislation which did not, in the view of the United States, comply with the relevant rules
of international law.
That the United States Government takes note of the Preparatory Commissions interpretation of
the Treaty, as set forth in the Final Act, that, governed by the principles and rules of international
law, each of the Contracting Parties retains exclusive power and legal competence, unaffected by
the terms of the Treaty, to grant or deny non-Contracting Parties transit and transport privileges.
That as regards the undertaking in Article 3 of Protocol II not to use or threaten to use nuclear
weapons against the Contracting Parties, the United States Government would have to consider
that an armed attack by a Contracting Party, in which it was assisted by a nuclear-weapon state,
would be incompatible with the Contracting Partys corresponding obligations under Article I of
the Treaty.
II
That the United States Government considers that the technology of making nuclear explosive
devices for peaceful purposes is indistinguishable from the technology of making nuclear
weapons, and that nuclear weapons and nuclear explosive devices for peaceful purposes are both
capable of releasing nuclear energy in an uncontrolled manner and have the common group of
characteristics of large amounts of energy generated instantaneously from a compact source.
Therefore, the United States Government understands the definition contained in Article 5 of the
Treaty as necessarily encompassing all nuclear explosive devices. It is also understood that
Articles 1 and 5 restrict accordingly the activities of the Contracting Parties under paragraph 1 of
Article 18.
That the United States Government understands that paragraph 4 of Article 18 of the Treaty
permits, and that United States adherence to Protocol II will not prevent, collaboration by the
United States with Contracting Parties for the purpose of carrying out explosions of nuclear
devices for peaceful purposes in a manner consistent with a policy of not contributing to the
proliferation of nuclear weapons capabilities. In this connection, the United States Government
notes Article V of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, under which it
joined in an undertaking to take appropriate measures to ensure that potential benefits of peaceful
applications of nuclear explosions would be made available to non-nuclear-weapon states party
to that Treaty, and reaffirms its willingness to extend such undertaking, on the same basis, to
states precluded by the present Treaty from manufacturing or acquiring any nuclear explosive
device.
III
That the United States Government also declares that, although not required by Protocol II, it
will act with respect to such territories of Protocol I adherents as are within the geographical area
defined in paragraph 2 of Article 4 of the Treaty in the same manner as Protocol II requires it to
act with respect to the territories of Contracting Parties.
The President ratified Additional Protocol II on May 8, 1971, with the above recited
understandings and declarations, in pursuance of the advice and consent of the Senate.
It is provided in Article 5 of Additional Protocol II that the Protocol shall enter into force, for the
States which have ratified it, on the date of the deposit of their respective instruments of
ratification.
The instrument of ratification of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was
deposited on December 11, 1969 with understandings and a declaration, and the instrument of
ratification of the United States of America was deposited on May 12, 1971 with the above
recited understandings and declarations.
In accordance with Article 5 of Additional Protocol II, the Protocol entered into force for the
United States of America on May 12, 1971, subject to the above recited understandings and
declarations.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Richard Nixon, President of the United States of America, proclaim
and make public Additional Protocol II to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in
Latin America to the end that it shall be observed and fulfilled with good faith, subject to the
above recited understandings and declarations, on and after May 12, 1971 by the United States of
America and by the citizens of the United States of America and all other persons subject to the
jurisdiction thereof.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have signed this proclamation and caused the Seal of the
United States of America to be affixed.
DONE at the city of Washington this eleventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand
nine hundred seventy-one and of the Independence of the United States of America the one
hundred ninety-fifth.
(Seal)