Chile official likely to become OAS chief
Chilean Interior Minister Jose Miguel Insulza is assured election as the next secretary-general of the Organization of American States following the withdrawal of Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez from the race.

The announcement was made Friday by Colombian Foreign Minister Carolina Barco following intense discussions involving U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the two candidates and other Latin American diplomats.

Insulza is expected to be elected unanimously when the organization reconvenes Monday in Washington to hold the formal election.

At a foreign ministers meeting in Washington last month, Insulza and Derbez were deadlocked at 17 votes apiece. The outcome remained unchanged after five ballots.

The United States backed Derbez but said that either candidate would make an excellent secretary-general.