Alejandro Gertz Manero Nominated as Ambassador to the UK

President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the nomination of former Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero as Mexico's Ambassador to the United Kingdom. During her morning press conference, Sheinbaum stated that the British government has already granted its consent, though the appointment remains subject to ratification by the Mexican Senate before it becomes official.

Gertz Manero will replace Josefa González-Blanco. The nomination follows Gertz Manero's resignation as head of the Attorney General's Office (FGR) in November 2025, two years before his mandate was scheduled to conclude. In his resignation letter, Gertz Manero expressed his intention to continue his trajectory of public service in a new capacity.

Gertz Manero assumed FGR’s leadership in 2019 under the administration of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. His career includes prior roles as Ministry of Public Security at both the federal and local levels, as well as serving as a federal deputy. Following his departure in December 2025, Ernestina Godoy, Former Legal Counsel to the President, assumed the role of Attorney General. Godoy is considered a close ally of President Sheinbaum, having worked with her during her tenure as Mexico City’s Mayor.

In parallel to the announcement, President Sheinbaum addressed her scheduled meeting with Mexican ambassadors and consuls. She indicated that the session aims to outline the administration's achievements during 2025 and present the strategic projects targeted for 2030, the final year of her term. "We want to listen to them, understand the perspectives from each embassy, and invite them to foster greater cultural and economic cooperation with different countries," Sheinbaum stated.

Context of the Appointment 

The transition at the FGR and the subsequent diplomatic appointment occur amidst a shift in the federal security strategy. The arrival of Godoy at FGR is expected to facilitate fluid communication between the autonomous prosecutor's office and the executive branch, particularly with the cabinet led by Minister of Security Omar García Harfuch. This coordination is viewed as central to the administration's efforts to address domestic security challenges and manage bilateral pressure from the United States regarding organized crime.

Appointment With no Diplomatic Background

Gertz Manero’s move to the diplomatic corps aligns with a recurring practice in Mexican foreign policy where political figures are appointed to embassies regardless of the administration in power. This prerogative is grounded in Art. 89, Section III of the Mexican Constitution, which grants the President the faculty to appoint diplomatic agents and consuls general, subject to Senate ratification. Approximately 25% of Mexico's diplomatic missions have been led by officials outside the Career Foreign Service in recent administrations, as reported by El País. This trend includes representatives in key nations, such as Ambassador to Canada Carlos Joaquín González, the former Governor of Quintana Roo; Ambassador to the United States Esteban Moctezuma, a former Minister of Education; and Ambassador to Spain Quirino Ordaz, a former Governor of Sinaloa.

To address the integration of political appointees into the diplomatic corps, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) issued an agreement on Sept. 5, 2025, establishing mandatory training guidelines. The new measure requires nominees who do not belong to the Career Foreign Service to complete a specialized curriculum at the Matías Romero Institute (IMR). The training covers foreign policy principles, consular protection, and administrative management. According to the agreement, designees must complete this preparation prior to their ratification process in the Senate to ensure they possess the necessary technical knowledge for their posts.