Rubio Says US Eyes Two or Three UN Chief Candidates
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington sees a short list of qualified contenders to succeed Antonio Guterres as UN secretary general.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in International Relations
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States sees two or three qualified candidates for the UN secretary general post, which Antonio Guterres is vacating. Rubio said revealing Washington's preferred candidate would doom that person's chances, and noted that other countries also get a vote.
Why it matters
The selection will shape leadership of the United Nations at a time when Rubio said the entire UN system needs reform. The race has drawn scrutiny because the Trump administration reportedly favors Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh, whose candidacy is controversial over Abu Dhabi's support for the Rapid Support Forces.
The US sees two or three qualified candidates for the post, according to Rubio's remarks. The selection process is ongoing and other countries will also have a vote on the successor to Guterres.
The players
Marco Rubio
US Secretary of State who said the US sees two or three qualified candidates for the UN secretary general post and that the whole UN system needs reform.
Antonio Guterres
Current UN Secretary-General who is vacating the position, leaving the post open for selection.
Lana Nusseibeh
Emirati diplomat reportedly favored by the Trump administration for the UN secretary general job, whose candidacy is controversial.
The details
Rubio said Washington has a couple of strong candidates and that disclosing its preferred choice would hurt that candidate's prospects. Multiple diplomatic sources told reporters the Trump administration favors Lana Nusseibeh, and France is believed to be backing her as well, though her candidacy is the subject of controversy tied to Abu Dhabi's support for the Rapid Support Forces, which the UN and US have found committed genocide in Darfur.
Timeline
- November 11, 2026: Rubio's remarks on the UN secretary general candidates were reported.
Political Context
The succession race is being shaped by the controversy over Abu Dhabi's support for the Rapid Support Forces, which the UN and US have found committed genocide in Darfur. Rubio's call for UN system reform places the selection within a broader debate over the organization's direction.
The outcome will determine who leads the UN, shaping how the organization responds to global crises. Readers following international affairs can track the candidate shortlist as member states weigh their votes.
The takeaway
The UN secretary general race shows how candidate endorsements and regional controversies can shape global institutional leadership. Watching which candidates survive the shortlist offers insight into the balance of power at the UN.
Further reading
For more on how the world body is run, explore International Relations coverage.
