FAQs

Who is the Secretary General of the OAS, and how is the Secretary General elected?
José Miguel Insulza, is the 10th Secretary General of the OAS. He was elected OAS Secretary General on May 2, 2005, and took office on May 26 of that year. Insulza is a Chilean politician with an accomplished record of public service.

The Secretary General of the Organization is elected by the General Assembly for a five-year term and may not be reelected more than once or succeeded by a person of the same nationality. In the event that the office of Secretary General becomes vacant, the Assistant Secretary General shall assume his duties until the General Assembly elects a new Secretary General for a full term.

To learn more about the OAS's past Secretaries Generals, go to the Archives.