The Organization of American States (OAS) is investigating its secretary general, Luis Almagro, for possible violations of the hemispheric institution’s code of ethics. The investigation focuses on Almagro’s alleged romantic relationship with an OAS official.
According to the rules in the institution, this could constitute an ethical failure, since an official cannot maintain a relationship with someone who is under his supervision and/or benefits from it. The story was initially reported by the AP agency. According to the sources, the official is of Mexican origin and 20 years younger than Almagro, Secretary General of the OAS since 2015 and re-elected in 2020 for another 5-year term.
The official works at the Secretariat for the Strengthening of Democracy and, apparently, has been on leave since June. It is not clear if her withdrawal is due to the beginning of the investigation. According to Gonzalo Espariz, an OAS spokesman who was quoted by AP, Almagro has never acted as supervisor of this official. “Almagro has never taken part in decisions related to the interests of this OAS official,” Espariz said.
In other words, the Mexican did not work directly with Almagro and her position does not depend on the Secretary General either. However, given the power of the Secretary in the institution, the relationship is questionable and that is what is being investigated. Multiple sources told this newspaper that the relationship has been going on for at least 3 years and has been quite public in the corridors of the OAS.
