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🇲🇽 Mexico /Elections & Politics

Appointment of Roberto Lazzeri as Mexico's ambassador to the EU ratified; 'responds to complexity of bilateral relationship,' they affirm

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Roberto Lazzeri Montaño was confirmed as Mexico's new ambassador to the U.S. by the Permanent Commission.
  • The appointment, confirmed with 27 votes in favor, aims to address the complex bilateral relationship.
  • Opposition parties criticized the federal government's foreign policy and highlighted tensions with the U.S. during the debate.

Roberto Lazzeri Montaño has been ratified as Mexico's new ambassador to the United States, securing 27 votes in favor and eight against from the PAN and PRI parties in the Permanent Commission. Lazzeri succeeds Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, who began his term in February 2021.

the designation responds to the complexity of a bilateral relationship that covers commercial, financial, consular, border and security issues, for which it needs a profile with technical experience and immediate interlocution capacity.

— Alejandro MuratPresident of the Permanent Commission's First Committee, explaining the rationale behind Lazzeri's appointment.

During the session, Alejandro Murat, president of the Permanent Commission's First Committee, stated that the appointment is a response to the intricate nature of the bilateral relationship. This relationship encompasses commercial, financial, consular, border, and security issues, necessitating a profile with technical expertise and immediate interlocution capabilities.

His strength lies in that he does not arrive to learn the bilateral relationship, but to lead it from effective knowledge of the files and counterparts.

— Alejandro MuratHighlighting Lazzeri's experience and readiness for the ambassadorial role.

Murat highlighted Lazzeri Montaño's over two decades of experience in public finance and international economic policy. He has previously represented Mexico in international bodies such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the G20, and APEC. Lazzeri also participated in the USMCA negotiations and maintained dialogue with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Department of State.

the replacement in the diplomatic representation occurs 'at the worst moment of the relationship with the United States', marked by judicial investigations against Morena politicians, cancellation of visas and questions from the U.S. government.

— Homero Niño de RiveraPAN deputy criticizing the timing of the ambassadorial change.

Despite Lazzeri's qualifications, opposition parties, including the PAN and PRI, voiced criticism. They pointed to perceived tensions in U.S.-Mexico relations, including judicial investigations into Morena politicians and visa cancellations. PAN deputy Homero Niño de Rivera argued that the timing of the diplomatic shift is inopportune, given current challenges. PRI deputies, led by Rubén Moreira, questioned Lazzeri's lack of experience in the Mexican Foreign Service and criticized budget cuts to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, suggesting a weakening of the consular network in the U.S.

Lazzeri does not belong to the Mexican Foreign Service and lacks diplomatic experience.

— Rubén MoreiraPRI deputy explaining his party's opposition to the nomination.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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