Albert Ramdin Elected as First Caribbean OAS Secretary General

Albert Ramdin, Suriname’s Foreign Minister, has been elected as Secretary General of the OAS, becoming the first Caribbean leader to hold this position. His election, unopposed, was supported by various Latin American governments across the political spectrum, indicating a move toward consensus within the organization. Ramdin will face significant regional challenges upon taking office in May 2025.

On Monday, Albert Ramdin, the Foreign Minister of Suriname, was elected as the new Secretary General of the Organization of the American States (OAS), succeeding Uruguay’s Luis Almagro in May. This marks a historic moment as Ramdin becomes the first leader from the Caribbean to lead the OAS, with his candidacy heavily backed by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

In his inaugural remarks as Secretary General-elect, Ramdin emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “My commitment is to serve all member states of this organization. Our collective strength lies in our ability to work together.” Ramdin was elected unopposed after Paraguay’s Foreign Minister, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, withdrew due to insufficient support.

Ramdin’s election was a consensus decision during a session chaired by Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren, attended by various regional diplomats. Following years of division under Almagro’s leadership, Ramdin successfully appealed to both progressive governments in Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay, as well as centrist and center-right governments in Costa Rica, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic.

Despite ideological differences, the Trump administration refrained from opposing Ramdin’s election. During the session, US State Department official Michael Kozak urged Ramdin to prioritize defending democracy while critiquing Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua for infringing basic rights. Ramdin will assume office in May for the term spanning from 2025 to 2030, confronting challenges including the crisis in Venezuela and ongoing violence in Haiti.

Having previously served as the OAS’ second-in-command and as Suriname’s Foreign Minister since 2020, Ramdin replaces Almagro, who focused strongly on democracy and human rights throughout his tenure. The transition heralds a new phase for the OAS amid various socioeconomic and political challenges in the region.

Albert Ramdin has been elected as the new Secretary General of the OAS, with significant backing from Caribbean nations and progressive governments across Latin America. His election signifies a shift towards consensus-building after years of division within the organization and presents an opportunity to address pressing regional issues. Ramdin’s commitment to collaboration and a focus on defending democracy will be crucial as he takes on the challenges ahead.

Original Source: efe.com