The OAS approves the hiring of an outside company to investigate the case of Luis Almagro.

Organization of American States authorized this Friday to hire an outside company to investigate whether the general secretary is Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, violated the ethical rules of the institution due to his relationship with another employee.

Resolution submitted Uruguay and Antigua and Barbudawas approved at the Permanent Council meeting by 30 votes, with 2 abstentions and 1 abstention.

Speaking at Friday’s meeting, Almagro said he supported the resolution and wished to “give the best result from the investigation.”

The general secretary also took advantage of his intervention to “confirm” that he had a relationship with the official, noting that this was known to “practically everyone.”

“She was my partner for almost three yearson a personal level, perhaps the best thing in my life, although our relationship ended a few months ago,” said the Uruguayan, who has led the organization since 2015.

OAS decision

A working group composed of member countries leading permanent council and the financial secretary of the organization will now be responsible for selecting an external company that must submit a report within three months from the date of the contract, the resolution says.

After completion of the investigation and submission of a report to permanent councilmember countries should “take appropriate action” on the report’s findings.

The investigation will focus on himself, as part of a sentimental relationship, Almagro violated various OAS rules. In particular, provisions regarding oversight functions, wage increases and intimidation are being clarified in the resolution.

Another complaint by an anonymous whistleblower will also be investigated, alleging that a former domestic worker working in an OAS official residence was physically and verbally assaulted by Almagro’s ex-wife. The General Secretary could not protect her and fired her, the complainant claims. With regard to this complaint, the investigation should establish the reason for the employee’s termination, as well as whether Almagro was aware of the alleged abuse.

Luis Almagro’s situation

Inspector General OAS it has already conducted a preliminary investigation into the case and recommended a third-party company to continue its investigation last week.

On paper, an official who worked in OAS since 2013 held the position of “specialist” Secretariat for the Consolidation of Democracybut sources assured EFE Agency who worked as a “de facto” direct adviser Almagro.

The employee has had several promotions within the organization, including one by rank and several levels, since she began advising the general secretary, according to internal company documents. OAS to which EFE has access.

The OAS bylaws provide that those who are in close relationship with another employee or service provider “have no right to monitor or evaluate that person” and may not “participate in any process in which a decision is made or reviewed.” affects that person’s interests.

In October during General Assembly of the OAS In Lima, Almagro assured that he did not violate the rules of the organization, and confirmed that he had never been “the warden of any person” with whom he “had a relationship.”

Almagro, who was Uruguay’s foreign minister from 2010 to 2015, has led the OAS since 2015 and was renewed for a second five-year term in March 2020.

The controversy surrounding his relationship with another OAS employee flared up shortly after the Board of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) voted by majority decision in September to fire its president, Mauricio Claver-Carone, for having an affair with a subordinate, something he denies.

(As reported by EFE)