# Susana Malcorra Endorses Grynspan for UN Secretary-General Over Argentine Rival Former foreign minister sparks domestic controversy by backing Costa Rican candidate Rebeca Grynspan. - **Source:** [Buenos Aires Times](https://www.batimes.com.ar) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c2b570b4-c48d-499d-9a50-00783d7f7a22 ## Unexpected Diplomatic Endorsement Former Argentine Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra has publicly endorsed Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan for the United Nations secretary-general position. This decision breaks from national expectations, as Malcorra opted to support a regional candidate instead of her compatriot, Rafael Grossi, who currently serves as the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency. ## Regional Unity and Representation Malcorra announced her position on Wednesday, joining a coalition of former Latin American and Caribbean foreign ministers. The group signed an open letter advocating for a leader from their region. They emphasized that it is time for a woman to occupy the top UN role for the first time in history. ## Grynspan's Professional Qualifications The endorsement highlights Grynspan’s extensive background, including her tenure as vice-president of Costa Rica. She has also led the Ibero-American Secretariat and the UN Conference on Trade and Development. Supporters point to her strong performance in informal Security Council polls, where she has consistently secured the highest level of candidate support. ## Domestic Backlash in Argentina The announcement triggered immediate criticism from Argentine social media users who questioned Malcorra's loyalty. Critics asked why she failed to support Grossi, arguing that backing a fellow citizen would better serve the nation's interests. Some users even accused the former minister of acting against the country's diplomatic goals on the global stage. ## Grossi's Candidacy Challenges Rafael Grossi remains a prominent contender in the race to succeed current Secretary-General António Guterres. However, his path to the position is complicated by significant geopolitical divisions among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. These internal disagreements continue to hinder the selection process for the organization's next top leader. ## Strategic Rationale for Support Malcorra defended her choice by emphasizing Grynspan's experience, capabilities, and vision for navigating current global challenges. She argued that regional unity is essential for Latin America to successfully secure the secretary-generalship. By prioritizing a regional candidate, she aims to elevate the influence of Latin American and Caribbean nations within the United Nations. ## Historical Context of Selection The UN secretary-general selection process is traditionally influenced by regional rotation and the consensus of the Security Council's permanent members. Historically, the position has never been held by a woman, making the push for Grynspan a symbolic and strategic effort to break long-standing gender barriers within the international diplomatic hierarchy. ## Future Diplomatic Implications The tension surrounding this endorsement reflects broader debates about national versus regional interests in international politics. As the selection process continues, the ability of candidates to navigate these conflicting loyalties will be critical. Observers are now watching to see how these public disagreements impact the final consensus within the Security Council. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/world/argentinas-former-foreign-minister-malcorra-backs-rival-to-grossi-for-top-un-job.phtml — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._