The new Secretary General of the OAS, Albert Ramdin. Photo: Maria Patricia Leiva/OAS.
Guacamaya, March 11, 2025. Marking a new era for the Organization of American States (OAS), Surinamese Albert Ramdin has been elected as the new Secretary General of the organization. Ramdin, who will assume the position in May, has made it clear that one of his first objectives will be to review Venezuela’s legal status within the regional body.
“The first thing I will request is a legal opinion on Venezuela’s status in this organization, and I do not want unilateral advice. I want it from different perspectives to truly understand how we should address the issue,” Ramdin stated during a press conference after being elected by acclamation as the sole candidate in the race.
The announcement comes amid an uncertain context, as Venezuela’s seat in the OAS is currently vacant. In 2017, the government of Nicolás Maduro denounced the OAS Charter to formally withdraw from the regional forum, a process that takes two years. However, in 2019, the organization recognized Guaidó as the country’s interim president, and he withdrew the denunciation.
“The issue of Venezuela in this institution needs to be carefully examined. The people currently in power in Venezuela, if we do not want to call them a government, say they are not members. Others say Venezuela remains a member,” Ramdin explained.
Dialogue as a Mechanism to Resolve the Crisis in Venezuela
Regarding the sanctions imposed on Venezuela, Ramdin, who is currently Suriname’s Foreign Minister, has opposed Washington’s unilateral measures, aligning with his government’s stance, according to France24. After presenting his candidacy, he reiterated that the only way to address the crisis in Venezuela is through dialogue with Nicolás Maduro’s government.
“To resolve problems, dialogue is necessary. If you exclude yourself from that opportunity, you close the door to influence and the search for solutions,” declared the incoming Secretary General, who also advocates for a “neutral” position and “not taking sides.” In February, Suriname’s Foreign Minister met with his Venezuelan counterpart, Yván Gil, with the aim of “strengthening ties.”
Position in Favor of Guyana on the Esequibo Dispute
In the territorial dispute over the Esequibo region between Venezuela and Guyana, Ramdin has also taken a stance, siding with neighboring Guyana, according to Reuters. However, he has defended his position of maintaining an open mind and working with all OAS member countries to achieve consensus and solutions to regional problems.
Ramdin, who has faced criticism for his affinity with China, brings prior experience as OAS Assistant Secretary General and as a foreign minister, positioning him well to tackle upcoming challenges. His focus on dialogue and cooperation marks a significant shift from his predecessor, Luis Almagro, who was questioned for his alignment with Washington.
(With information from EFE, Reuters, and France24)
