MIAMI, United States. – The elected president of the United States, donald trumpannounced this Sunday the appointment of Christopher Landau, former ambassador to Mexico during his first term, as Undersecretary of State.
The nomination, disseminated through the Truth Social network, will require the approval of the Senate, which will have a Republican majority as of January 3, according to international media.
In his message, Trump highlighted Landau’s previous work at the head of the US Embassy in Mexico (2019-2021), where, in his opinion, he managed to “reduce illegal migration to the lowest levels in history.” .
If approved by the Senate, the future “number two” of the State Department would work alongside the Cuban-American Marco Rubionominated for the position of Secretary of State. The duo made up of Rubio and Landau suggests that US foreign policy will have a priority focus on Latin America, a region that gained relevance during the first Trump administration (2017-2021).
In his publication in Truth Social, the Republican leader stated that Landau will collaborate with Rubio “to guarantee the security and prosperity of the country, focusing on a foreign policy based on the principle of ‘America first’.”
For her part, Cuban-American congresswoman María Elvira Salazar celebrated Landau’s nomination as Undersecretary of State and considered that this department will have a “historic mandate with two incredible experts in Latin America.”
Christopher Landau, a graduate of Harvard Law School, clerked for conservative Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. Of American origin but born in Madrid in 1963, Landau grew up linked to diplomacy: his father, George Landau, was the United States ambassador to Paraguay, Chile and Venezuela. Currently, the lawyer practices in the Washington office of the Ellis George law firm, after an extensive career spanning more than three decades in the legal field.
During his period as ambassador to Mexico, between 2019 and 2021, Landau became directly involved in immigration and trade issues. In fact, he became one of the key figures in the bilateral relationship, especially in the context of the renegotiation of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC).
After the nomination, Landau shared his impressions on the social network: “I am deeply honored and grateful for this nomination and for the opportunity to work with Senator Marco Rubio to implement President Donald Trump’s foreign policy agenda,” he wrote.
Landau defined the nomination as “a tribute” to his parents, “the best possible teachers of what it means to be a diplomat and an American.” Likewise, he noted that he is looking forward to “the confirmation process in the United States Senate.”
I’m deeply honored by, and grateful for, this nomination and the opportunity to work with Senator @marcorubio to implement President @realdonaldtrump‘s foreign policy agenda. I only wish my parents were still alive to hear the news, as my father was a career Foreign Service… pic.twitter.com/EHl9bGlq6i
—Christopher Landau (@ChrisLandauUSA) December 9, 2024
Landau’s vision regarding Latin America is not limited to relations with Mexico. His opposition to the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela became evident after the fraudulent elections held in the South American country. “The great Venezuelan people have risen up with righteous indignation at an inept attempt to steal an election. Inspired by the bravery of María Corina Machado, Venezuelans have lost their fear. The Armed Forces They are not going to repress their brothers. This is how tyrannies end. “Long live Free Venezuela!” wrote Landau.
Both Rubio and Landau were part of the advisory circle during the first Trump administration, characterized by the intensification of sanctions against the Cuban regime and the adoption of a more confrontational stance towards the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua.
