WASHINGTON—In order to help solve Haiti’s political and humanitarian crises, the new secretary-general of the Organization of American States told the Advisor in an interview that talks are needed “with all or most of the stakeholders,” and he didn’t rule out engagement with the gangs that control nearly all of the country’s capital.

“We need to look at whether, in a different way, we can address the security environment,” Albert Ramdin, who took office as secretary-general on May 30, told the Advisor on Tuesday. “One [way] is, of course, force and taking care of the gangs and the illegal activities, but the other one is trying to find inroads in the gangs and in the leadership,” possibly via “proxy,” he added.

“We have to find a way to get [the gangs] on board to normalcy,” he said. “I’m trying not to go too far with this—it’s important that you listen to the member states first,” he added.

Ramdin said initial discussions on establishing a new political road map for Haiti will likely take place on the sidelines of the OAS’ General Assembly, which is scheduled for June 25-27 in Antigua and Barbuda. He said he hopes Haitian stakeholders will agree to schedule a constitutional referendum and uphold plans for national elections set for Nov. 15—all of which hinges on security, which Ramdin called a “high priority.” He pointed out that the mandate of Haiti’s transitional presidential council expires next February.

“Ultimately, the idea is that we help with the coordination of the implementation of this road map,” Ramdin said.

Meaningful humanitarian assistance in Haiti “cannot happen now simply because of the fact that the gangs are controlling the ports,” Ramdin said. The United Nations has estimated that gangs control as much as 90 percent of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.

“I personally feel that if we don’t succeed in Haiti, we miss our goal of creating democracy, peace and prosperity,” Ramdin told the Advisor.

Ramdin also said he would like to see Venezuela rejoin the OAS; President Nicolás Maduro’s government announced the country’s withdrawal from the organization in 2017.

“In the coming months, after consultation with member states, I may try to make some contacts through third parties to see whether there’s an appetite to engage,” he said.

Re-joining the OAS “will be also in the interest of Venezuela, and I hope that we can convince them of that,” Ramdin told the Advisor.

“I’m realistic enough to understand that it’s not going to be that easy. We need to work toward improving situations in Venezuela … we need to make sure that there is engagement and that we can see progress being made toward the OAS’ standards. And that will make it easier, not only for Venezuela to consider returning, but it will make it easier for others to accept Venezuela back,” Ramdin said.

Ramdin expressed concern over steadily deteriorating democratic freedoms in Venezuela as well as military tensions with Guyana in the disputed Essequibo region, which Guyana administers but Venezuela claims.

“Any kind of small incident can escalate. What we want to keep is peace and security in the hemisphere,” said Ramdin, who previously served as Suriname’s foreign minister. The dispute is “important to the whole region, especially with oil and gas in the region and investors coming in—we need to be realistic in that regard,” he added.

“We need to take a pragmatic approach to this,” Ramdin said of the Essequibo. “It will have my attention in the coming weeks after the General Assembly,” he added.

Ramdin also emphasized the importance of orderly conduct in Bolivia’s general elections in August.

“We would like to see, of course, well organized elections, even if institutions are weak, and even if things happen on the day of elections which require correction,” he said.

“I hope that all political parties will accept the outcome, and that, as is the requirement, we move on to a process of governance … continuous political instability is not good for a country,” Ramdin told the Advisor.

Ramdin also said he aims to streamline the OAS’ internal processes, re-tool the institution’s media outreach strategy and develop better metrics to demonstrate the OAS’ value to its member states, “so that the people of the Americas know what the OAS stands for, and also what the OAS means for them,” he said.

“Improving the stature of the organization is a critical goal,” Ramdin said. “The U.S. is asking for more effectiveness and a more efficient operation—I support that.”

Ramdin told the Advisor that he ultimately envisions a hemisphere “where democracy flourishes, and where human rights are protected, not seen as a threat.”

“Many countries feel that we are in different boats on a rough sea,” he said. “But we are in the same boat—if this ship is not managed well on the right course, we will never reach calmer waters.”