Latin America Advisor

Ronald Sanders, ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States: “During Almagro’s first term, the OAS experienced bitter division, leaving the organization weak and lacking a coherent way forward. Almagro was almost a ‘one item’ secretary general, consumed by events in Venezuela and acting in concert with countries that used the organization in furtherance of domestic political agendas tied to removing the Maduro government. A majority of only 18 votes secured his control of the OAS. To operate based only on satisfying a majority, however achieved, neglects the interests of all others. The OAS will not survive in constant contention, vexation and division. Almagro’s second term provides him an opportunity to build bridges between member states and to lead a collective hemispheric agenda, which should include tackling climate change and a failing trading system; financing development; and addressing communicable diseases—all of which are integral to maintaining security, democracy and human rights. The latter should be strictly applied with no repetition of the organization’s dubious role in last October’s elections in Bolivia. He would have to be…”