WASHINGTON, Dec 14, CMC – Antigua and Barbuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have nominated Ecuadorian diplomat Maria Fernanda Espinosa for the position of Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), a Caribbean diplomat has confirmed.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the OAS, Sir Ronald Sanders confirmed that the two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries had formally submitted the nomination of the former president of the United nations General Assembly.

The announcement comes less than a week after St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said he was leading a campaign to ensure that the incumbent OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro, is not re-elected to the post.

“There is an election for a new secretary general in March and I’m urging all Caribbean leaders, not to vote for Almagro. I’m suggesting a candidate,” Gonsalves said. According to an Antigua and Barbuda government statement, Sir Ronald submitted the nomination to the current President of the OAS Permanent Council, Rita Claverie Diaz de Sciollion on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Gonsalves.
“We are confident that Maria Fernanda Espinosa meets the highest standards of personal integrity and professional ability,” said the letter, signed by Browne. “The Governments of Antigua and Barbuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are committed to upholding the four pillars of the Organization: respect for democracy and democratic institutions, advancing integral development and prosperity, promoting and defending human rights and ensuring a multidimensional approach to security”

The two Caribbean prime ministers said that having examined Maria Fernanda Espinosa’s record in several capacities of high office, including several portfolios as Minister of Government, Ambassador to international organizations and President of the United Nations General Assembly, they are “convinced that she has a clear understanding of the above-mentioned pillars and will act to strengthen and advance each of them in the collective interests of the member states of the OAS”.

As a result of the nomination, the other two declared contestants are now Almagro and the present Ambassador of Peru to the United States, Hugo de Zela; Sir Ronald said that he broad support for Espinosa from countries in South and Central America and the Caribbean.
“It makes her a formidable candidate who can deliver a new pathway to make the OAS fit for purpose in delivering on the expectations of the peoples of the Americas for peace, progress and development,” he said. In her biography, Fernanda Espinosa describes herself as “an academic, diplomat and politician with more than 30 years of professional experience in the academy, non-governmental and international organizations, and leadership positions within the Government of Ecuador.”

She is regarded as an expert in international affairs and the United Nations, defense and security, sustainable development, the environment, climate change, gender equality, and indigenous peoples’ rights.

Fernanda Espinosa said she has a vast experience in intergovernmental negotiations and is recognized as an international advocate of multilateralism and women’s rights and empowerment.

Fernanda Espinosa said she was an advisor on biodiversity and indigenous peoples’ policy and later regional director for South America of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, IUCN.

She served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defense, Minister of Cultural and Natural Heritage, and was the first female ambassador and permanent representative of Ecuador to the United Nations in New York. She was also permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva.

Most recently, Espinosa served as President of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, becoming the fourth woman in history and the first from Latin America and the Caribbean to preside over this body since its foundation in 1945.
Dominica recently criticised Almagro over his remarks made prior to the December 6 general election that was won by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s ruling Dominbica Labour Party (DLP).

Skerrit had initially refused to invite the OAS to monitor the election, but later agreed saying his administration had nothing to hide regarding free and fair elections in the country. The OAS was among regional and international observers that declared the general election free and fair and representative of the will of the people. Earlier this year, CARICOM chastised Almagro about his “unilateral” stance in accepting Juan Guaido as interim president of Venezuela.

In a letter to the Almagro, the CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of St. Kitts Nevis, Dr. Timothy Harris said the CARICOM leaders had mandated him to express the regional body’s “disapproval and grave concern with regard to the position that you, in your capacity as Secretary General, have adopted, by recognising the president of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Juan Guaido as interim president of (Venezuela).

“This action on your part, without the authority of the member states of the organisation, is considered inappropriate,” he said in the letter dated January 31, adding that the decision to send the sternly-worded later was taken at an emergency CARICOM Heads of Government held on January 24, that had been convened to discuss the unfolding political crisis in Venezuela.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, had also blamed  Almagro of “taking on personally the presidency of Venezuela and had been advocating, virtually an overthrow of the Venezuelan government.