Luis Almagro elected new secretary general of OAS

WASHINGTON — The Organization of American States on Wednesday elected former Uruguayan foreign minister Luis Almagro as the new secretary general of the hemispheric organization.

The 34 member states voted for Almagro in a secret ballot.

He was the only candidate after former Guatemalan vice president Eduardo Stein and Peruvian jurist Diego Garcia-Sayan withdrew their candidacies.

Almagro will replace Jose Miguel Insulza on May 25, and will serve a five-year term.

He said he hopes to rule over the organization’s renovation, not serve as a mere administrator during crises.

During his term, Almagro said he plans to give priority to issues including citizen security, prevention of social conflicts, protection against natural disasters and improved interconnectivity and education.

He also reiterated his hope of bringing Cuba back as a full member of the group.

Almagro’s election comes just two weeks before leaders from around the hemisphere will gather in Panama for the Summit of the Americas, with Cuba attending for the first time since its suspension from the Washington-based grouping in 1962.

The suspension was annulled in 2009, but Cuba has not moved to rejoin the organization.

The vote also comes in the wake of U.S. sanctions levied against seven Venezuelan officials accused for of human rights violations.