Oscar has been part of the PSI family for 33 years. His dedication, commitment and generosity inspired us all.  His passing reminds us all to take care of each other. 

Oscar was an outstanding leader in Inter-America. A pillar of our Inter-America team who embodied PSI for all our affiliates in Central America and Mexico. Oscar was a young activist and leader in Costa Rica’s labour movement in the early 1980s, focusing on young workers, union organising and on worker training and education, before becoming a union leader in his own right. Oscar began work as a project coordinator and popular educator with PSI in 1992. 

Oscar was quickly promoted to Sub-regional Secretary, Central America and Mexico. Although Costa Rica was a relatively stable country, the rest of Central American countries and Mexico were very dangerous places for trade unionists. Despite very difficult conditions, Oscar managed to provide critical assistance to PSI affiliates and their leaders, grow and strengthen PSI’s profile and role in the region and support the development of a strong group of union leaders. 

We join together to honour his memory and thank him for his invaluable legacy in this moment of sadness. Oscar was a dear comrade and a person we deeply respected and admired. He practiced an active solidarity with all of his colleagues and comrades. Oscar challenged and inspired all of us in a positive and supportive way. He was a comrade who could rise to almost any challenge, while remaining calm, focused and friendly. He was definitely the person you wanted at your side. Oscar’s departure leaves a huge void in our hearts and in our organisation. 

Our thoughts are with Oscar's family. In this time of grief, we also think of all our colleagues in Inter-America. Oscar will always live on in our memories and in the inspiration he leaves us to carry on with the commitment and passion he always showed. 

 In solidarity, 

Daniel Bertossa, PSI General Secretary 

Euan Gibb, Regional Secretary for Interamerica