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LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

October 3, 2025

Is the U.N. Poised for a Leader From Latin America?

The next secretary-general of the United Nations is to be chosen next year, and at least two candidates from Latin America are likely to be in the running. // File Photo: vacant via Adobe Stock.

Q

  • Chile’s government on Sept. 23 announced it will nominate former President Michelle Bachelet as a candidate to replace António Guterres as secretary-general of the United Nations after his term expires at the end of next year. Bolivia’s government said in April that it also plans to nominate David Choquehuanca, the country’s outgoing vice president for the role. Who is most likely to become the next U.N. secretary-general? What would be the significance of a secretary-general from Latin America? What is the United Nations’ role in pressing issues in the Western Hemisphere, such as crises in Haiti and Venezuela?

A

Jacqueline Mazza, senior adjunct professor at the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies: “The next secretary-general of the United Nations will be serving a term—from 2027 to 2032—of unprecedented challenge to the role of multilateralism in international affairs. Latin America has a great stake in a reinvigorated role for the United Nations as an ‘honest broker’ and consensus-builder whether in supporting peace negotiations, uncontrolled gang warfare as in Haiti or as a leader on global issues of migration, climate change and democracy. The just-concluded UNGA meeting in New York revealed a divided Latin America on the United Nations, with some seeing a narrower, diminished U.N. role to fit into the Trump administration’s erratic and U.S.-centric international agenda. To attain the leadership of the United Nations, Latin America would be wise to…”

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The Inter-American Dialogue publishes the Latin America Advisor every business day for a distinguished membership of informed corporate leaders, scholars, and government officials invested in Latin America’s development and future. The Advisor‘s highly regarded Q&A section covers questions submitted by subscribers themselves. Commentators regularly include heads of state, business leaders, diplomats, economists, analysts, and thought leaders from around the world. Many of the world’s largest and fastest-growing companies subscribe to the Advisor. To subscribe, click here. For terms and conditions, click here. For more information, contact Gene Kuleta, editor of the Advisor, at gkuleta@thedialogue.org.
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board of advisors

Diego Arria
Director,
Columbus Group

Merike Blofield
Professor of Political Science,
University of Hamburg

Devry Boughner Vorwerk
CEO,
DevryBV Sustainable Strategies

Joyce Chang
Global Head of Research,
J.P. Morgan

Marlene Fernández
Corporate Vice President for Gov’t Relations,
Arcos Dorados (McDonald’s)

Peter Hakim
President Emeritus,
Inter-American Dialogue

Donna Hrinak
Director,
Adtalem Global Education

Jon E. Huenemann
Council Member,
GLG Inc.

James R. Jones
Chairman,
Monarch Global Strategies

Craig Kelly
Senior Director,
Int’l Gov’t Relations,
Exxon Mobil

Barbara Kotschwar
Professor of Political Economy,
Georgetown University

John Maisto
Director,
US Education Finance Group

Nicolas Mariscal
Chairman,
Grupo Marhnos

Thomas F. McLarty III
Chairman,
McLarty Associates

Beatrice Rangel
Director,
AMLA Consulting

Ernesto Revilla
Head of Latin American Economics, Citi

Gustavo Roosen
President,
IESA

Andrés Rozental
President, Rozental &
Asociados

Shelly Shetty
Managing Director,
Sovereigns, Fitch

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