By Ank Kuipers
PARAMARIBO (Reuters) – The Organization of American States (OAS) on Monday elected Surinamese Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin as its new secretary general through 2030, taking over from Uruguayan diplomat Luis Almagro and marking the body’s first Caribbean leader.
Ramdin, 66, has served as Surinam’s top diplomat since 2020, and was previously the OAS’ assistant secretary general for two terms from 2005 through 2015.
He has pushed for greater efficiency in the organization and highlighted the need for it to better support Haiti, which is facing a conflict against armed gangs with limited international aid.
“This is the first time in the history of the OAS that a representative from the Caribbean has been elected Secretary General,” Suriname’s government said in a statement.
“It is a great honor for Suriname that our candidate has been supported by the vast majority of the member states.”
Suriname’s President Chan Santokhi has praised Ramdin’s “calm assurance” as a trusted advisor and adept diplomat.
Suriname is located on the South American continent but has closer diplomatic ties to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
It has opposed Washington’s sanctions against Venezuela and supported neighboring Guyana in a territorial dispute with Venezuela over the border region of Esequibo.
Venezuela’s government in 2017 said it would begin a process to leave the OAS, but the body has since recognized representatives from the country’s political opposition. It currently has no representative at the Washington-based OAS.
Diplomats from other CARICOM nations expressed hope that Ramdin’s appointment would boost diversity and representation for smaller nations in the Caribbean, which are facing urgent challenges on high debt, gun crime and climate change.
Ramdin will stay in his role as foreign minister through May 25, when Almagro’s term will finish and Suriname is set to hold a national election.
(Reporting by Ank Kuipers in Paramaribo, Vivian Sequera in Caracas and Sarah Morland in Mexico City)
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