Albert Ramdin Endorsed by Several Nations for OAS Secretary General Position

Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia endorse Albert Ramdin of Suriname for Secretary General of the OAS. Ramdin’s experience as Assistant Secretary General makes him a strong candidate against the backdrop of Almagro’s controversial tenure. The election is set for March 10, with Almagro’s term ending on May 25.

The Foreign Ministers of Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia have jointly announced their endorsement of Albert Ramdin, Suriname’s Foreign Minister, as their candidate for the position of Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS). Ramdin, who previously held the role of Assistant Secretary General, is regarded as exceptionally capable of addressing pressing contemporary challenges in the region.

The election to select a successor to the outgoing Secretary General, Luis Almagro of Uruguay, is set for March 10. Paraguayan Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano is also a candidate in this contest. Almagro’s tenure will conclude on May 25, following a decade in office.

In a joint communication, the foreign ministries expressed, “This decision represents a significant step towards the unity of the region in the current geopolitical context and also a historic opportunity for the organization, as well as for the Caribbean region, which for the first time could lead this important space of hemispheric integration.”

The statement further emphasized Ramdin’s extensive diplomatic experience, stating that his previous role as Assistant Secretary General equips him uniquely to tackle the challenges currently faced by the Americas, thereby reflecting the realities and ambitions of both the Caribbean and the broader region.

It is worth noting that Almagro has faced controversies, including an investigation in 2022 regarding allegations of an inappropriate relationship with an assistant. Furthermore, his involvement in the ascension of Jeanine Áñez to power in Bolivia in 2019 remains a subject of debate, particularly as Áñez currently faces pre-trial incarceration.

The endorsement of Albert Ramdin by several South American nations highlights a key moment in regional diplomacy as they prepare for the upcoming OAS election. With his extensive experience, Ramdin is viewed as a promising candidate to address current geopolitical challenges and enhance the Caribbean’s role within the organization. The ongoing controversies surrounding Almagro further underscore the significance of this leadership transition.

Original Source: en.mercopress.com