More than a year has passed since the Joe Biden government nominated Elizabeth Manes as United States ambassador to Colombia. Her appointment had to be ratified by the Senate of that country, body in charge of confirming the appointment of diplomats, judges and other officials.
However, the legislative period ended at the beginning of this year without Manes being confirmed, causing an automatic return of the appointment to the White House, where now the Biden administration will have to reshuffle the cards to decide what to do with the position in Bogotá.
At the diplomatic headquarters on Colombian soil almost two years ago Francisco Palmieri, who has served as ambassador in charge since Philip Goldberg He left office in mid-2022.
The truth is that everything indicates that Biden will not bet on Manes again. In fact, the former ambassador to El Salvador has already been appointed to another position that does not require the approval of Congress: since the beginning of this month she has been the new charge d'affaires of the United States before UNESCO.
Manes, after the appointment, encountered strong opposition from the Republican Party in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee where they prevented his confirmation hearing from being scheduled. In particular, Florida Senator Marco Rubio.
Since June of last year, the legislator had made it clear that he would not support Manes as the new ambassador and without her vote, given the composition and rules of the Upper House, it was practically impossible for her to advance.
“After careful review and consideration of her qualifications and performance in previous positions, I cannot support the nomination of Jean Manes to serve as United States Ambassador to Colombia. The diplomatic mission is among the most strategically important to the interests of both our country and for regional stability in the Western Hemisphere,” the Senator said at the time.
Part of the opposition to Manes among Republicans emanates from her years as ambassador to El Salvador and her conflict with President Nayib Bukele, who has very good relations with some members of this party.
It is uncertain, at this point, whether Biden will nominate a new candidate for ambassador. Currently the confirmation process in the Senate, even with the blessing of both parties, is taking months given the large number of officials still waiting for their turn.
With the electoral campaign in the middle, this process could be even slower and more exhausting for a new candidate who, in addition, could have a new boss starting in January of next year. Furthermore, over the years, Palmieri has established himself in his position. Which has reduced the pressure to appoint a new ambassador.
In any case, given that his position is interim and he operates as chargé d'affaires, it remains controversial that the US does not have an ambassador in Colombia with full powers.
INTERNATIONAL EDITORIAL AND WASHINGTON
TIME
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