It is the first Caribbean nation to lead the OAS. Its arrival speaks volumes about the country’s strategic importance and a shift in direction. Why?
The unanimous acclamation of the Foreign Minister of Suriname, Albert Ramdin, as Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) clearly reflects what member states expect from his leadership: a consensus-builder who restores dialogue within the organization and prevents fragmentation in a time of global uncertainty.
Albert Ramdin is neither a reformist nor a charismatic leader. He is a diplomatic operator with vast experience in conflict resolution and the administration of multilateral organizations. His career in the OAS, CARICOM, and as Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs has given him an in-depth understanding of institutional operations and their limitations. This made him an ideal choice for times of crisis.
However, his technical profile and tendency to prioritize stability over change raise questions about his ability to revitalize the OAS. The organization is currently facing doubts about its relevance.
With an increasingly limited budget and growing regional fragmentation, his administration will need to focus more on preventing institutional paralysis than leading a transformational process. The latter could once again reinforce the OAS’s image as a dialogue forum with little real influence.
A Bet on Stability
Ramdin’s election follows a clear strategy: consolidating pragmatic leadership that provides stability in a challenging regional context. Within this framework, the Surinamese diplomat, with a solid background in mediation and consensus-building, emerged as the most reliable option compared to more disruptive alternatives. The alternative candidate was Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, who proposed a deep restructuring of the organization to redefine its role.
In a scenario marked by regional tensions and budgetary constraints, choosing a Caribbean figure signals a preference for caution. The priority will be optimizing the existing structures within the OAS. In this regard, Ramdin represents a guarantee of efficient management during times of crisis.
The support of the Caribbean bloc was crucial in positioning Ramdin, securing him 14 of the 18 votes needed and allowing for a smoother campaign. Later, Brazil’s decision to back him was decisive, rallying support from a bloc of progressive countries that ultimately tipped the scales. This shift also influenced other governments that joined the majority.
However, reducing this process to an ideological matter would be a mistake, as it would not explain the support from the United States and its allies, whose backing ultimately sealed the outcome. Although each bloc had different reasons for supporting Ramdin, they all agreed on one point: consensus, dialogue, and the search for solutions.
Contrasts and Geopolitics
Unlike his predecessor, Luis Almagro, whose leadership was marked by a confrontational and personalist approach, Ramdin takes a more discreet and negotiatory stance. His handling of sensitive issues such as Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba follows this same line. Instead of taking strong positions, he promises to delegate decision-making power to the General Assembly and specialized bodies, restoring their original role as deliberative spaces. However, this strategy will be his greatest challenge, as critics interpret it as a sign of inaction in the face of democratic crises in the region.
Another controversial aspect of his election was China’s support for his candidacy, despite Beijing only having observer status without voting rights. However, U.S. support in the Assembly dispelled the notion that the election was driven by a geopolitical dispute. This was reaffirmed by Mauricio Claver-Carone, an advisor to Donald Trump, who dismissed any strategic background for China and emphasized that, for Washington, Ramdin is a reliable interlocutor and Suriname a key ally.
The Challenge Ahead for Albert Ramdin
Regional countries opted for leadership without abrupt shifts or uncertain bets. Despite unanimous support, Ramdin’s challenge remains significant. He must demonstrate that the OAS is still a relevant space for hemispheric cooperation.
His efforts will focus on maintaining the organization’s functionality without major structural reforms, prioritizing stability over transformation. Rather than leading a radical change, his challenge will be to prevent the OAS from declining further and to reaffirm it as a useful forum for regional governance in times of polarization and crisis.
*This text was originally published in Diálogo Político.
Machine translation proofread by Janaína da Silva.
Autor
Internationalist and Master's degree holder in Latin American Studies from the University of Salamanca, she is the author of the book "Paraguay, Foreign Policy and Regional Integration. A Journey Toward Contemporaneity" with Intercontinental Editora S.A. (2019).
