Suriname’s Albert Ramdin Endorsed by Regional Powers for OAS Secretary General

Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia have endorsed Suriname’s Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin for the Secretary General of the OAS. The vote is scheduled for March 10, as Almagro’s term concludes on May 25. Ramdin’s experience and unique qualifications are noted as beneficial for addressing contemporary challenges and advancing regional unity.

Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia have collectively expressed their support for Albert Ramdin, the Foreign Minister of Suriname, as their candidate for the Secretary General position of the Organization of American States (OAS). Ramdin, who has previously held the role of Assistant Secretary General, is regarded as particularly capable of addressing modern challenges while providing a new outlook on issues affecting the region.

The election to appoint a new Secretary General, succeeding Luis Almagro of Uruguay, is set for March 10. Paraguayan Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano is also contending for this significant position. Almagro’s decade-long term will conclude on May 25, prompting this leadership transition.

In a joint declaration, the foreign ministries of the five endorsing nations highlighted this decision as a pivotal step towards regional unity amid current geopolitical dynamics. They noted that this could represent a historic opportunity for the organization and the Caribbean, as it may lead the OAS for the first time.

The supporting document further emphasizes Ramdin’s extensive diplomatic experience, particularly his tenure as Assistant Secretary General of the OAS. It positions him effectively to tackle contemporary regional challenges and to reflect the realities and aspirations of both the Caribbean and the Americas.

Luis Almagro’s tenure has been marked by controversy, including an investigation in 2022 concerning allegations of a consensual relationship with an assistant. Additionally, questions persist regarding his involvement in Jeanine Áñez’s rise to power in Bolivia in 2019, as she currently faces pre-trial detention.

In summary, the endorsement of Albert Ramdin by Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia for the position of Secretary General of the OAS underscores a collective effort towards fostering regional unity. His extensive experience is viewed as an asset in addressing the challenges faced by the organization and the Caribbean region, particularly as the search for new leadership transitions from Almagro’s controversial tenure.

Original Source: en.mercopress.com