21 Facts About Luis Almagro

Luis Almagro served as Uruguay's Ambassador to the People's Republic of China from 2005 to 2010.

Luis Almagro had previously held different positions at the Ministry of Foreign Relations.

Luis Almagro was born June 1,1963, in Cerro Chato, Paysandu Department.

Luis Almagro studied at the University of the Republic, where he earned his law degree.

Luis Almagro supported efforts on the restoration of relations between Cuba and the US.

Luis Almagro represented Uruguay at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, in the suit brought by Philip Morris International against Uruguay for its anti-tobacco policies.

Also responsible for trade, Luis Almagro played a key role in expanding and diversifying Uruguay market access, raising exports each year of his term.

Luis Almagro led the process to welcome dozens of Syrian refugees to Uruguay, along with former President Mujica.

Luis Almagro is one of only 10 decision-makers in the region to be awarded this international distinction.

In 2018, Luis Almagro was listed 4th in the ranking of top 100 leaders from multilateral organizations.

Luis Almagro was elected Secretary General of the Organization of American States on March 18,2015, earning the support of 33 of the 34 Members States, including one abstention.

Luis Almagro's leadership has widely been seen as reinvigorating an Organization.

Under the renewed vision, Luis Almagro continues to champion key OAS initiatives including the Inter-American Human Rights System, the Inter-American Judicial Facilitators Program, the MACCIH, and the Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia, along with electoral cooperation and observation missions as priorities for the organization.

Luis Almagro has given special lectures and classes at prestigious academic centers including the University of Oxford, New York University, Georgetown University, Harvard University, Syracuse University, UNAM of Mexico, University of Pennsylvania, Boston College, Cambridge University, and University of the Republic of Uruguay, among others.

Luis Almagro met with government representatives, political parties and civil society on how to end impunity and repair trust between the country's government and its citizens.

On September 23, Luis Almagro expressed dismay at the rules and timetable published by the CNE that further delayed the recall process into 2016, guaranteeing that the ruling party remains in power until the end of the term in 2019.

In July 2017, Secretary General Luis Almagro appointed former International Criminal Court Prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo as a Special Advisor on Crimes Against Humanity.

In October 2022, it was revealed that Luis Almagro had engaged in a consensual romantic relationship with an OAS employee who served as his advisor.

On February 24,2022, Luis Almagro condemned the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine and called for an immediate cessation of the hostilities that it has irresponsibly initiated.

When Hamas, a Palestinian armed group in the Gaza Strip, attacked Israel on October 7,2023, Luis Almagro immediately condemned the "terrorist attack" and stated that Israel has the right to defend itself.

Luis Almagro further called on the "Palestinian Authority to put an end to this aggression" and called Hamas's actions of targeting civilian populations as "an act that violates human rights and international law".