A congressional commission approved Roberto Lazzeri Montaño’s nomination as Mexico’s next ambassador to the United States on Wednesday. The vote sends the appointment toward a full vote in the Permanent Commission.
The First Commission backed Lazzeri by 11 votes to two. Lawmakers from PAN and PRI voted against the nomination, while Morena, PVEM, Movimiento Ciudadano, and PT supported it.
Lazzeri appeared before legislators before the vote, outlining an agenda centered on sovereignty, migrant protection, security cooperation, and the upcoming T-MEC review.
A key Washington post before T-MEC talks
The nomination, sent to Congress through the Foreign Relations Secretariat in late May, would put Lazzeri in Washington at a sensitive point in Mexico’s relationship with the United States.
The embassy handles Mexico’s direct line with Washington on trade, consular protection, migration policy, border security, and bilateral disputes. Those issues have grown sharper as both governments prepare for the 2026 review of T-MEC, known as USMCA in the United States and CUSMA in Canada.
Lazzeri told lawmakers Mexico would seek “the best possible trade agreement for our country.” He also said the defense and modernization of T-MEC would be a national economic security priority.
The vote follows President Claudia Sheinbaum’s earlier decision to move a financial policy operator into the Washington Post, a shift covered when Lazzeri’s name first surfaced. It also comes as U.S.-Mexico trade talks moved into another round in June.
Opposition votes and the next step
PAN senator Mayuli Latifa Martínez said her party supported defending Mexican sovereignty before the United States, but not in a way that could shield politicians accused of links to organized crime. PRI deputy Rubén Moreira also voted against the nomination.
Movimiento Ciudadano senator Gibrán Ramírez supported Lazzeri and said the nominee should be given the “benefit of the doubt.”
If the full Permanent Commission ratifies the appointment, Lazzeri would replace Esteban Moctezuma Barragán as Mexico’s ambassador in Washington.
Lazzeri currently leads Nacional Financiera and Bancomext. His career has been more financial than diplomatic, with previous posts in the Finance Ministry, including roles in debt and institutional coordination.
Mexico’s next ambassador to Washington will handle not only consular and political issues. He will also enter a trade review that could affect investment, exports, supply chains, and the broader economic relationship with Mexico’s largest trading partner.
