CARACAS, May 2 (Xinhuanet) -- Venezuela on Monday sent congratulations to Chilean Interior Minister Jose Miguel Insulza, the newly elected leader of the Organization of American States (OAS), hoping he will promote the combat against inequality and poverty in Latin America.

    The congratulations were conveyed by Venezuelan Ambassador to the OAS, Jorge Valero, according to local reports.

    Venezuela supports Insulza through the election process, sayinghe represents the interests of Latin America and the Caribbean, the reports said.

    Insulza was elected secretary-general of the OAS during a session of foreign ministers on Monday in Washington, where the hemispheric organization is based.

    He was the only candidate in the race following the withdrawal of Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez last Friday.

    In a voting on April 11, Derbez and Insulza received 17 votes each in five consecutive ballots.

    The top post of the OAS had been left vacant by former Costa Rican President Miguel Angel Rodriguez, who resigned last October to face corruption charges back home. Enditem