Guyana’s bid to have Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett become the next UN Secretary-General suffered a serious setback on Friday, when two of the Security Council’s five permanent members cast “discourage” votes against her in the sixth informal straw poll.
The numbers
Rodrigues-Birkett received 8 encouraging and 6 discouraging votes, The National reported. Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan stayed in front with 9 encouraging and 5 discouraging, while Argentina’s Rafael Grossi matched Rodrigues-Birkett at 8–6. All three leading candidates drew opposition from two permanent members, though the members were not named. It was the first poll using colour-coded ballots that separate the permanent five from the ten elected members.
To advance to a General Assembly vote, a candidate needs at least nine votes and no veto from a permanent member. Citing US media, AFP reported that Washington opposes all seven contenders; US Ambassador Mike Waltz declined to comment, saying only that the US wants “the best.”
“That voice was my voice”
In remarks reported by Demerara Waves, Rodrigues-Birkett linked opposition to her candidacy to Guyana’s position, during its 2024–2025 Security Council term, that Israel’s attack on Palestinians in Gaza amounted to genocide. She said Guyana would not bend when international law is violated: “That voice was my voice representing my country.” She argued the UN needs a Secretary-General committed to the UN Charter and international law.
What next
Straw polls will continue and new candidates may still enter. Diplomats have floated several possible late entrants, though analysts warn time is short. Antonio Guterres’s second term ends on December 31, 2026. By tradition the post is expected to go to a Latin American or Caribbean candidate this time.
No formal statement from the Government of Guyana on the latest result was reported.
Sources
- The National – Grynspan stays ahead in sixth UN Secretary-General vote, but two veto powers say no (Oct 16, 2026)
- Demerara Waves – Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett vetoed for UN Secretary-General post (Oct 17, 2026)
- News Source Guyana – Rodrigues-Birkett picks up two veto votes in latest UN straw poll
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