The 34-member OAS, meeting in Honduras, unanimously overturned a 1962 decision that for 47 years has barred Cuba from the Organization of American States.

The United States had said Havana should not be allowed to return to the OAS until it embraces democratic principles and makes progress on human rights.

The group’s member countries did agree, however, that Cuba’s re-entry would be “the result of a process of dialogue” reference to the OAS’s commitment to defend democracy and human rights under a 2001 Democratic Charter.

In Havana, there was no government comment to the island’s possible reunion into the OAS.

“I’m sure they’re won’t ask for re-entry to the organization,” said Daniel Rodriguez, a professor in Havana.

Cuba has repeatedly said it has no interest in returning to the OAS. Before the OAS vote, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro described the body as an “accomplice” to crimes against Cuba.

“The ball is now in Cuba’s court to abide by the principles of human rights and democracy embodied in the Inter-American Democratic Charter,” said Representative Eliot Engel, chair of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.