Immediately after the resignation of Organization of American States (OAS) chief Miguel Angel Rodriguez, names begin to appear in South America as possible replacements of the embattled former Costa Rican president.

Rodriguez announced his resignation on Friday amid a corruption scandal that prompted an arrest warrant against him. He leaves hispost a week later.

Patricio Rojas, vice president of the Christian Democratic Party of Chile, said Interior Minister Jose Insulza could be a candidate for the vacancy.

"Insulza was well positioned to occupy that post this year, butpreferred staying in Chile," Rojas said, adding Insulza's candidacy has won the support of Brazil, Argentina, Canada and other countries of the region.

"One should not rule out any possibility, because the international situation is changing," said Rojas.

He cited Insulza's experience as a minister for more than 10 years in three administrations of the present ruling coalition in Chile.

Insulza is a university professor and occupied different posts in the Foreign Ministry and the Interior Ministry. He is recognized for his capability to negotiate political agreements with the right-wing opposition.

Uruguay's El Pais daily reported that Uruguayan Foreign Minister Didier Opertti would be one of the candidates to replace Rodriguez. Uruguayan authorities have not confirmed the report.

Several names, including Opertti, appeared on a list of possible candidates for the OAS post, El Pais reported.

Opertti also eyes the top job at the Common Market of the South(Mercosur), as he is the only candidate at the moment.

Opertti is a professor of international law and has occupied several important positions both in and outside Uruguay.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jesus Perez said Venezuela is studying the situation to decide on the presentation of a candidate for the OAS post.

"We're considering the scenario to determine whether or not to present a candidate," he told local daily El Nacional.

Venezuela rejected the Salvadorean proposal of appointing another Central American as OAS secretary general, he said.

"Central America had its chance to have a secretary general through the former Costa Rican president," said Perez.

At the request of the Attorney General's office, a Costa Rican judge on Saturday issued an international arrest warrant against Rodriguez, who was accused of receiving money in 2001 from French telecommunications company Alcatel for a contract in the country.

Attorney General Francisco Dall'Anese told the press Friday night that the arrest warrant was issued because the former Costa Rican head of state "is an indicted individual who is abroad."

"We have to take the necessary measures to make sure he is going to be back here" in Costa Rica, said Dall'Anese.

The international arrest warrant will become effective on Oct. 15, when Rodriguez's resignation takes effect, and "the US authorities will be in charge of that," the attorney general said,adding Rodriguez will be treated in Costa Rica as "any indicted individual."

Rodriguez said in his resignation letter to the OAS Permanent Council that he was leaving the OAS "to dedicate myself exclusively to my defense and to clearing up the facts before the Costa Rican judicial authorities."

Source: Xinhua