Ecuador names new ambassador to the U.S

Francisco Carrión named Ecuador’s ambassador to the United States, President Lenin Moreno announced Friday. The appointment has been approved by the U.S. State Department.

Francisco Carrion, Ecuador’s new ambassador to the U.S.

Carrión is a career diplomat, having served as ambassador to France, Spain and Great Britain. In addition, he served as Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and undersecretary of National Sovereignty.

In June, Ecuador nominated Alexis Mera, former legal secretary to former president Rafael Correa, for the ambassadorship but the U.S. did not approve the nomination. Following a two-month delay, Mera asked that his name be removed from consideration.

Ecuador’s ambassadorship to the U.S. has been vacant since May.