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U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz effectively undermined Michelle Bachelet's campaign to become the next UN Secretary-General, expressing shared concerns with Republican Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska during a Senate committee hearing this week.
Senator Ricketts raised two significant objections to the former Chilean president's candidacy. First, he criticized Bachelet's 2022 report as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, arguing it failed to formally label China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang as genocide — despite the report's findings that detentions there may constitute crimes against humanity. Second, Ricketts took issue with her advocacy for abortion as a fundamental human right. Waltz confirmed he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio share these concerns, a statement widely interpreted as a signal of U.S. opposition.
The timing is critical. A new UN Secretary-General will be elected later this year to serve a five-year term beginning January 1, 2027. Any successful candidate must secure support from all five permanent, veto-holding members of the UN Security Council — the United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France. Notably, China also distanced itself from Bachelet following the same Uyghur report.
Bachelet, Chile's first female president who served two terms, lost her home country's backing in March 2025 after Chile shifted politically to the right. She continues her campaign supported by Brazil and Mexico.
Waltz emphasized that the U.S. priority is finding the strongest possible leader rather than selecting based on gender or regional representation, stressing the need for reform and a renewed focus on peace and security.
Three other candidates are in the running: Rafael Grossi, current director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency; Rebeca Grynspan, former Vice President of Costa Rica; and Macky Sall, former President of Senegal. All four candidates are scheduled to participate in live UN dialogues next week, beginning with Bachelet on Tuesday.
