OAS denies allegations made against Secretary General

WASHINGTON, CMC – The Organization of American States says it “categorically rejects” what it termed the “false and misleading allegations” recently published regarding the internal functioning, human and financial resource management, and political agenda setting of the hemispheric body.

“The accusations are not based on accurate facts and provide a completely out-of-context and misrepresented reality. Unfortunately, misrepresentations and fake news have to be countered these days. At the same time, this item is an attempt at providing some useful insight into the inner workings of the OAS,” the OAS said in a lengthy statement.

While the OAS did not name the source of the “false and misleading” article, the Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador to the OAS, Sir Ronald Sanders, in his weekly column published by the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), noted that it was published “on a website I had never encountered” and that the “article is nothing less than a hatchet job “on the OAS Secretary General, Albert Ramdin, who is from Suriname.”

Ramdin, who officially took up office as Secretary General on May 27 this year, succeeding Luis Almagro, has said the basis for every action thus far has been in full accordance with the OAS Charter, Rules and Procedures, past and present precedents and practices, financial checks and balances, ethical standards, and the advice of the very capable workforce of the Organization.

“I find it deeply regrettable that disinformation, with to me unbeknownst and questionable motives, seeks to manipulate public opinion and erode the credibility of an institution dedicated to democracy, human rights, security, and development for the Hemisphere, as well as cooperation among states.

“I reaffirm that all institutional funds and staffing decisions have been handled with the utmost responsibility and in strict alignment with our mission and remain committed to transparency, accountability, and the mandate of the OAS in promoting peace and integral development in the Americas,” said Ramdin.

In its lengthy statement, the OAS stated that, as an international organisation, various bodies, processes, and institutions are in place within the OAS to address serious accusations of alleged corruption practices and/or situations of abuse of power.