They investigate an affair between Luis Almagro, secretary of the OAS, and a Mexican official who rose to several positions

Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (AEO), would have held a liaison with a Mexican official for several years. During their romance period, they reportedly traveled at least 34 times at various locations outside of the United States, where the agency’s headquarters are located.

the media The country and the agency Associated Press (PA) published information obtained from official documents, where it is verified that for more than two years the 59-year-old Uruguayan He had an affair with a Mexican employeewho was seen benefited from the progression of several positions In the organization.

According to Spanish media, Almagro is being investigated by a private law firm at the request of the OAS to determine the relationship he had with the official. They will check if it comes from inappropriateness and whether the promotions of women within the institution have been concluded in their favour. The investigation is expected to be completed in March.

The Secretary General of the OAS, in office since 2015, has publicly admitted to having a relationship with a public official –although prior to the revelation this was kept an open secret within the organization–. He assured that no misconduct occurred during the relationship.

About travel, the agency PA indicated that they occurred between 2018 and December 2019. These were recorded in various reports that Almagro presented in front of the institution’s headquarters to the President of the Permanent Council.

In at least fifteen times, the employee has been described in the documents as assistant to the general secretary. Although the files are public, they are inside a large stack which makes it difficult to locate them.

According to the review of PA, on certain occasions the advisor per diem They were covered by the organizers of the events, as was the case during a trip to Cartagena, Colombia, for a meeting of the Inter-American Press Association, in March 2019.

In another event, organized by the University of Pamplona, ​​it is stated that the Almagro’s costs were covered by the organizers and those of the advisers, by the OAS. In August 2019, the two men traveled alone for three days to Rio de Janeiro for the 95th regular session of the Inter-American Juridical Committee.

Other trips include a visit to the Bahamas in October 2019 -on this occasion the Secretary General met the Prime Minister of the archipelago-, a trip to Buenos Aires to participate in a seminar on populism in March this year and a conversation with young people at EAFIT University in Medellín, Colombia.

After the OAS General Council last November approved an investigation into the matter, Almagro confirmed the existence of a romantic relationship, known to almost everyone.

He said the relationship would have lasted about three years and ended a few months ago. He even said that “personally, maybe (they were) the best of my life”.

Like many organizations, the OAS stipulates that its workers must not have a personal relationship (sentimental) without other employees or a collaborating member who “interferes in the exercise of his duties or represents an obstacle for others in the work”.

Likewise, the Uruguayan is being investigated for failing to properly protect and fire a former domestic worker who worked at the OAS official residence who was assaulted by his ex-wife. Investigations must show whether the general secretary was aware of the alleged abuse and the reason for the woman’s dismissal.