Ali defends support for US candidate as IDB president

Mauricio Claver-Carone

President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday defended his government’s decision to support controversial Trump administration official, Mauricio Claver-Carone, for the presidency of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) at elections next month.

 “The US candidate was put to us and we have offered our support because we think the US candidate is a good candidate and it is a candidate that would effectively carry out the functions,” Ali said on the sidelines of the swearing in of ministers of his government at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Claver-Carone’s nomination has divided Latin America and there are continuing efforts to delay the election.