Washington, March 11 (RHC)-- Surinamese Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin was elected by acclamation this Monday at the assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) and obtained the necessary votes to replace the outgoing Secretary General, Luis Almagro.

The 67-year-old diplomat's administration will last until 2030 and he will take over from the Uruguayan Luis Almagro, who concludes his mandate on May 25th, after a decade in office.

The Surinamese candidate was supported by the Caribbean Community (CARISOM), Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic, among the 34 countries with the right to vote.

These votes ensured him more than the 18 votes required to lead the organization for the next five years, with the option of being re-elected.  On the other hand, the White House was inclined to help him reach the general secretary position.

It was learned that his only rival, the Foreign Minister of Paraguay, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, a fan of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, abandoned his candidacy last Wednesday, after several countries, including Brazil and Uruguay, declared their support for Ramdin, thus ensuring the majority.

Shortly after winning the election, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Paraguayan candidate Rubén Ramírez to his home in Mar a Lago, located in Palm Beach, Florida, and took photos with him in a virtual show of support.  However, some countries did not adequately appreciate this proximity.

According to Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, there was a "sudden and incomprehensible" transition of "friendly countries" of regional relevance.

Without mentioning them, he alluded to Brazil and Uruguay, who initially had given their support to the Paraguayan candidate, but later, Lula da Silva and Yamandú Orsi had opted to change it for the Surinamese candidate in the face of Donald Trump's arrival at the White House and his first days in government.