President Obama Announces Intent to Nominate Carlos Pascual as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico

Mexico City | June 4, 2009

Today President Obama announced his intent to nominate Carlos Pascual, Vice President and Director of the Foreign Policy Studies Program at the Brookings Institution, as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. Mr. Pascual’s nomination requires approval by the U.S. Senate.

In announcing his intent to nominate Mr. Pascual and other officials, President Obama said, “I am grateful that these individuals will help represent our nation abroad during this important time for our country and the world. They bring a depth of experience and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”

Mr. Pascual joined Brookings in 2006 after a 23 year career in the United States Department of State, National Security Council (NSC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Before joining Brookings, Mr. Pascual served as coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization at the U.S. Department of State, where he led and organized U.S. government planning to help stabilize and reconstruct societies in transition from conflict or civil strife. Prior to that, he was Coordinator for U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia (2003), where he oversaw regional and country assistance strategies to promote market-oriented and democratic states. From October 2000 until August 2003, Mr. Pascual served as U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. From July 1998 to January 2000, Mr. Pascual served as Special Assistant to the President and NSC Senior Director for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, and from 1995 to 1998 as Director for the same region. From 1983 to 1985, Mr. Pascual worked for USAID in Sudan, South Africa and Mozambique and as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia.

Mr. Pascual received his M.P.P. from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 1982 and his B.A. from Stanford University in 1980. He serves on the board of directors for the National Endowment for Democracy, Freedom House, and the Internews Network. He is also on the Advisory Group for the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.