Peru FA Min: "We are optimistic about De Zela's candidacy for OAS Secretary-General"

18:10 | Lima, Feb. 24.

Foreign Affairs Minister Gustavo Meza-Cuadra on Monday said that Peru is optimistic about the candidacy of Hugo de Zela for the position of Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS).

He affirmed that only one of the three candidates enjoys Government support, and that is De Zela, who, in his opinion, can build consensus in this polarized region.

"There are three candidates, and only one enjoys Government support. We have presented this candidacy to the international community (…) We are optimistic. It is not easy. It is a polarized region," the minister told RPP radio and TV station.

Meza-Cuadra recalled that Ambassador De Zela has toured the region and visited the Caribbean to meet with several Heads of State in order to promote such candidacy.

The government official refrained from specifying the number of countries that undertook to support the Peruvian candidate, who needs 18 votes to win such an important post.

Meza–Cuadra stressed the extensive experience of Hugo de Zela, who has been the Chief of Staff of two OAS Secretaries-General.

Peruvian candidacy

As is known, the Peruvian candidacy aims at contributing to the strengthening of the continental organization as a space for dialogue, as well as to generating consensus.

Another objective is to find effective solutions to the principal conflicts in the Western Hemisphere.

The OAS Secretary-General election for the 2020-2025 period will be held on March 20, 2020.

Personal experience

Ambassador Hugo de Zela holds a degree in International Relations from the Diplomatic Academy of Peru.

He has studies in Economic and Administrative Sciences at the Universidad de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay, as well as doctorate studies in Political Sciences at the Universidad del Salvador (Argentina).

A career diplomat with 42 years of service, he has served as permanent representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), Peru's Ambassador to Brazil and Argentina, Peru's national coordinator in the Rio Group, as well as a member of Peru's delegation in border negotiations with Ecuador (1997-1998).

He has also served as chief of staff of the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States on two occasions (1989-1994 and 2011-2015).

From April 5, 2018, to April 21, 2019, he served as Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister.

Since April 22, 2019, he is Ambassador of Peru to the United States.

(END) RMCH/CVC/RMB

Published: 2/24/2020

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Peru FA Min: "We are optimistic about De Zela's candidacy for OAS Secretary-General"

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