Ultraright advances for control of human rights body in the Americas

THE Facto News found that the US administrations for Payá involved coordination with countries, especially the most vulnerable ones, and threats to cut resources for programs, if governments chose to avoid the Trump administration’s candidate.

An experienced observer in Washington admitted that Payá’s victory is “bad news” for the region. She will be the representative of the largest donor and may end up having a “disproportionate” voice in the entity. “The Commission runs the risk of becoming Marco Rubio’s anteroom,” said another delegate, in a reference to the US Secretary of State.

Rubio, in fact, was one of the first to celebrate. “Payá’s voice and tireless work in defense of freedom, democracy and human rights in our region are needed now more than ever,” he said on his social media.

Brazil and Mexico close agreement

In that election, however, an impasse marked the vote. Fabio de Sa e Silva was the Brazilian running for the position that, for many, would play a fundamental role in defending Brazilian interests in the face of Donald Trump’s advance in the region. But he did not obtain an absolute majority of votes against competition from Mexican José Luis Caballero Ochoa, even though he was ahead in three rounds of voting.

Given the candidates’ inability to reach 18 votes, the governments’ option was to suspend the election and allow Brazil and Mexico to return to compete for support in the region.