Flores throws in towel

The AP reports that the former president of El Salvador, Francsico Flores, has withdrawn from the race to become the next secretary general of the Organization of American States. Since Washington had strongly backed Flores, many view Flores failure to win the post as a rejection of US policy in the Western hemisphere :

Flores, the U.S. government's choice to lead the Washington-based Organization of American States, withdrew his candidacy late Friday. His withdrawal means that, for the first time in the 57-year history of the OAS, Washington's candidate will not win.

Flores said a three-way race for the post had divided the region and created a 'dangerous situation.' Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez and Chilean Interior Minister Jose Miguel Insulza have also campaigned heavily for the job.

Delegates from the OAS nations will meet Monday to cast their votes.