Uruguay and four other South American countries have endorsed Albert Ramdin, Suriname’s Foreign Minister, for the OAS Secretary General position, emphasizing his extensive diplomatic experience. The election is set for March 10, 2023, to succeed controversial Secretary General Luis Almagro, whose term ends on May 25.
Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia have collectively endorsed Albert Ramdin, the Foreign Minister of Suriname, as their candidate for Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS). With prior experience as Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, Ramdin is regarded as exceptionally qualified to confront current challenges while offering a renewed perspective. The election to succeed Uruguay’s outgoing Secretary General, Luis Almagro, is scheduled for March 10 and will also feature Paraguayan Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano as a contender. Almagro’s tenure will conclude on May 25 after a decade in office.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministries of Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay articulated that this decision marks a crucial move toward regional unity given the current geopolitical landscape. They emphasized the historical significance of this opportunity for the OAS, as it represents the first time a candidate from the Caribbean may lead this key institution of hemispheric integration.
The document further highlighted that “Minister Albert Ramdin, with his vast experience in diplomacy, including his past role as Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, is uniquely positioned to address the contemporary challenges facing our countries, bringing a fresh perspective that reflects the realities and aspirations of the Caribbean region and the Americas as a whole.”
Almagro, who has faced controversy, was under investigation in 2022 for alleged improprieties concerning a relationship with an assistant. Furthermore, the circumstances surrounding his involvement in the rise of Jeanine Áñez to power in Bolivia in 2019 remain ambiguous; Áñez is currently in pre-trial detention.
No comments for this story. Please log in or register (it is free!) to comment. Login with Facebook.
The endorsement of Albert Ramdin by several South American nations represents a pivotal moment in the search for a new Secretary General of the OAS, aiming for a candidate who can unify the region and bring forth fresh insight. This election is not only about leadership but also holds historic implications for the Caribbean’s representation in international diplomacy. The political controversies surrounding the outgoing Secretary General may influence the upcoming vote significantly.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
