Yet, the Brazilian ambassador, in a later public session treating with the candidate for the post of assistant secretary general and, with Espinosa unable to respond, completely misrepresented her remarks, saying that she had stated she would not be guided by decisions of ministers and the Permanent Council of the OAS. If they were listening they would also have heard her say that, as secretary general, she would be more “secretary” than “general” - a failing of Almagro's - and that she would carry out the mandate and instructions given to her by ministers.Īnd, it would only be the malicious who would deliberately misrepresent Espinosa's undertakings. Only the deaf - or those who deliberately blocked their ears - would not have heard her say with passion and commitment that she will “strengthen human rights bodies” and “promote an initiative for the universalisation of inter-American human rights instruments”. Incidentally, the regime in Bolivia is still to hold credible elections to legitimise the Government it seized. She is a pragmatic leader who fully understands that the success of any organisation depends on its capacity to build consensus among all its stakeholders. So preoccupied is this group of governments with trying to ensure that Almagro remains in position that they have, so far, refused to recognise that Espinosa is not an ideologue and is, in fact, a realist. This group of governments strongly support incumbent Luis Almagro because, in the abuse of his office, he has been their most enthusiastic standard-bearer against the Maduro and Ortega governments. The objective of the interrogations from this group of countries, which included Bolivia, Brazil, and Colombia, was to try to paint Espinosa as an ideologue who would act against decisions and declarations of the OAS engineered by a majority of 18 delegations against the Nicolas Maduro and Daniel Ortega governments of Venezuela and Nicaragua, respectively, and the presidency of Evo Morales of Bolivia which was ended by a coup d'état, however else it is portrayed. Showing all the competence, knowledge, and experience that come from holding high ministerial offices and the presidency of the UN General Assembly, she handled, with remarkable grace and aptitude, difficult interrogations from the representatives of the US and governments supporting the re-election of the incumbent, Luis Almagro. If candidates were to get a prize for making the best case for why they are best suited to be secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), María Fernanda Espinosa would have easily walked away with it when the three contenders for the post appeared before the OAS Permanent Council on February 12.
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