The Dominican government will maintain its support to the Chilean candidate to secretary general of the OAS, Interior Minister Jose Miguel Insulza. Mexican Foreign Minister Derbez and Insulza of Chile tied to 17 votes in the first round of votes. Reportedly, the United States is backing Derbez. The US had backed Francisco Flores, former President of El Salvador, who chose to drop out of the contest when not able to secure a majority vote. The DR vote had first been promised to Flores. Reports are that several of Flores’ votes in the Caribbean are now supporting the Chilean candidate, while Central American votes are primarily going to Mexico.
OAS rules establish that when a tie occurs after five vote calls, the election has to be opened to other candidates. The next voting will take place on 2 May.