Mexican Senate Confirms New Ambassador to Guatemala Amid Controversy
The Mexican Senate ratified the appointment of Luz Elena Baños as ambassador to Guatemala, replacing Romeo Ruiz Armenta, partner of Campeche Governor Layda Sansores, according to reports from El Universal.
Ruiz Armenta’s removal follows allegations of authoritarianism and harassment directed at political opponents, journalists, and even members of the Morena party by Governor Sansores. The accusations detail a pattern of silencing dissent and criticism within the state of Campeche.
The Senate committees fast-tracked the confirmation of Baños, who is expected to formally take office on Tuesday. The decision comes as the Senate also considers a reform to working hours, a separate matter noted in the same report.
Félix Salgado, president of the Senate Commission for Foreign Relations for Latin America and the Caribbean, stated he was unaware of the reasons behind Ruiz Armenta’s removal. This lack of clarity adds to the questions surrounding the abrupt change in diplomatic representation.
Recent reporting by El Universal detailed instances of harassment targeting journalists, university officials, police officers, and individuals who publicly criticized Governor Sansores, even those using symbolic costumes during carnival celebrations. The report paints a picture of a climate where open expression is suppressed within Campeche.
The appointment of Baños and Ana Luisa Vallejo as ambassadors to Guatemala and Belize, respectively, was also discussed by Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente on social media. He described both diplomats as strengthening Mexico’s feminist foreign policy, according to El Universal. Both are members of the Mexican Foreign Service and are expected to be formally ratified by the Senate.
Guatemala and Belize are described as close partners and neighbors of Mexico, with successful cooperation benefiting the entire Central American region.
This personnel change occurs within a broader context of political maneuvering in Mexico. Separately, the U.S. Justice Department reportedly fired prosecutors involved in the January 6th investigations, a move described as a campaign of retribution by former President Trump, according to The New York Times. In the U.S. Senate, Vance broke a tie to confirm Pete Hegseth, while Trump toured wildfire damage in California, as reported by NBC News.
