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U.S. OAS Ambassador Calls Staff ‘Rats’, Dumps Human Rights

6/19/2026

24 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Ambassador Leandro Rizzuto Jr. called dissenting staff “rats” and shifted the OAS mission’s focus from human-rights work to economic issues.
After a nomination linked to conspiracy theories, Rizzuto, heir confirmed last year, hung an oil portrait in the mission’s vestibule.
U.S. diplomats at the OAS resigned or were dismissed, their posts filled, while State Department removed 30 ambassadors this year.

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Story summary

Ambassador Leandro Rizzuto Jr. called dissenting staff “rats” and shifted the OAS mission’s focus from human-rights work to economic issues.
After a nomination linked to conspiracy theories, Rizzuto, heir confirmed last year, hung an oil portrait in the mission’s vestibule.
U.S. diplomats at the OAS resigned or were dismissed, their posts filled, while State Department removed 30 ambassadors this year.