Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda will continue backing María Fernanda Espinosa for U.N. secretary-general, despite most Caribbean governments supporting Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett.

Speaking Saturday on Pointe FM’s Browne and Browne Show, Browne said his government had hosted a reception for Espinosa during its visit to New York and was seeking support for her candidacy. He said Antigua and Barbuda had been urged to withdraw its nomination but had refused.

“Under no circumstances,” Browne said, recalling his response to that request. “We stand by our candidate.”

Antigua and Barbuda formally nominated Espinosa, a former president of the U.N. General Assembly from Ecuador, in May. Rodrigues Birkett, Guyana’s former foreign minister and current U.N. ambassador, was nominated in June. Both are listed as candidates by the United Nations.

Browne said he had been told the United States would veto Rodrigues Birkett, which he argued could improve Espinosa’s prospects.

That is Browne’s account; a U.S. decision to veto Rodrigues Birkett has not been independently confirmed.

Browne acknowledged that Espinosa, too, would need the support of the Security Council’s permanent members to advance.

He described Espinosa as a candidate capable of building bridges among countries and said her past work with Antigua and Barbuda had helped establish the relationship behind its nomination. He also said people from several governments attended the reception and pledged support, though he did not name them or specify what commitments they made.

The next secretary-general must be recommended by the Security Council and appointed by the General Assembly. Antigua and Barbuda’s endorsement keeps Espinosa in the race, but it does not determine which candidate the council will recommend.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda Stands by Espinosa’s Bid for U.N. Secretary-General, Browne Says.