Colombia has formally presented political scientist and diplomat Laura Gil’s candidacy for the position of Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS). The election will be held next month during a session of the OAS Permanent Council in Washington.
Laura Gil, Colombia’s bet for the OAS
Political scientist Laura Gil, currently Colombia’s ambassador to Austria, and a diplomat with an extensive career in multilateral affairs, presented today her candidacy to the Deputy Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), as official representative of the Colombian State.
The Government of Gustavo Petro nominated her to succeed Belizean diplomat Nestor Mendez, who has held the position since 2015 and completes his second term this year. The election will take place next May 5 during a session of the OAS Permanent Council in Washington.
With this nomination, Colombia not only seeks to position a figure with diplomatic and multilateral experience, but also to reinforce its commitment to a gender-focused foreign policy.
“With this nomination, Colombia reaffirms its commitment to feminist foreign policy and the strengthening of the mechanisms of the international system to advance the guarantee of women’s rights, in order to guide and ensure their full, equal and meaningful participation in the highest decision-making bodies,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the statement in which it made Gil’s nomination official.
The President of Colombia himself referred to the nomination of the diplomat. “I hope for the support of the Latin American and Caribbean community,” he wrote this morning on his social network account.
Candidatizo a Laura Gil, a la secretaria adjunta de la OEA
Espero el apoyo de la comunidad latinoamericana y del caribe https://t.co/HMlahTPwo5
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) April 7, 2025
Assistant Secretary General, a key post at the OAS
The role of Deputy Secretary General in this multilateral organization is crucial to the internal structure of the entity. Their primary function is to support the Secretary General in implementing decisions made by member states and in executing programs and projects.
Additionally, they coordinate the daily activities of the OAS’s technical and administrative departments, ensuring the organization’s strategic objectives are met. They also serve as a liaison with member states, facilitating dialogue and cooperation among them.
Furthermore, the Deputy Secretary General contributes to strengthening democracy, human rights, security, and comprehensive development in the Americas by working closely with other international organizations and civil society. This role is essential to maintaining the continuity and effectiveness of the OAS’s work.
Laura Gabriela Gil Savastano, born in Uruguay and naturalized as a Colombian citizen, is a prominent political scientist, international relations expert, and journalist with extensive experience in human rights and international law.
She studied at Saint John’s College and earned a Master’s degree in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
In Colombia, she has taught at Externado University and collaborated with international organizations such as the UN and the OAS. Her journalism career includes writing opinion columns and participating in radio and television programs, which earned her accolades like the Simón Bolívar National Journalism Prize in 2019.
In August 2022, she was appointed Vice Minister of Multilateral Affairs under President Gustavo Petro’s administration, a position she held until March 2023. Later, in July 2023, she became Colombia’s Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to international organizations in Vienna.