Congressman Chris Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), has voiced significant concerns over the election of Suriname’s Foreign Minister, Albert Ramdin, as Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS).
“Suriname Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin’s record regarding democratic governance, as well as his close ties to foreign actors, particularly the People’s Republic of China dictatorship, raise concern about his dedication to OAS’s core principles of democracy, human rights, and regional security,” stated Smith. He co-chaired the CECC alongside now-Secretary of State Rubio for several years.
Smith expressed regret over Ramdin’s role in strengthening economic and diplomatic ties between Suriname and Communist China. “Regrettably, Ramdin has been a key figure in fostering closer economic and diplomatic ties between Suriname and Communist China–a relationship that raises concerns about increasing Chinese influence in the Caribbean and Latin America. During his tenure as Foreign Minister, he sought out Chinese investments and infrastructure projects, which has led to Suriname’s growing economic dependence on Beijing,” Smith said. He highlighted China’s history of using debt diplomacy to extend its influence as a cause for concern regarding potential shifts in OAS priorities under Ramdin’s leadership.
Concerns were also raised by Smith about Ramdin’s neutrality on regional issues like human rights violations in Venezuela. “I am concerned that the OAS, under his leadership, will prioritize diplomatic appeasement over the firm advocacy for democratic governance,” he commented.
Smith emphasized the importance of upholding democratic values within the OAS. “The OAS plays a pivotal role in promoting democratic values and protecting human rights across the Americas,” he continued. “The Secretary General must be someone who unequivocally upholds these principles and resists undue foreign influence that could undermine the sovereignty of nations in the region.”
He acknowledged that while Ramdin’s election could represent an important milestone for Caribbean representation at the OAS if managed correctly: “Ramdin’s election as Secretary General of the OAS has the potential to be a proud and positive milestone for Caribbean representation so long as he works with OAS member states and stakeholders to remain vigilant in fulfilling the organization’s noble missions of transparency, accountability, and protection of fundamental rights for all peoples in the hemisphere,” adding that “Freedom, peace and security in the region depend upon it.”
