US President Donald Trump has nominated Federal Judge Edward Prado as Ambassador to Argentina.
Prado, 70, has served as a judge for nearly 34 years, first in his home state of Texas, where he spent 19 years on a district tribunal; and later as a federal judge on the US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.
Given his reputation, Prado's nomination is unlikely to face any hurdles in the Senate. His 2003 nomination as a federal judge by then president George W. Bush passed the Senate unanimously, 97-0.
BACKGROUND
Prado is considered a conservative and is known to have close ties with the Bush family in Texas.
He speaks fluent Spanish and has been recognised among the US Latino community as one of its most influential figures.
The experienced lawyer and judge has visited Buenos Aires on at least one occasion. In 2009, he addressed a University of Buenos Aires Law School class.
Prior to his appointment as a District Court Judge in Texas, Prado served as Assistant Public Defender, Assistant District Attorney, and as a District Attorney. As a youth, he served in the US Army Reserve.
The US Embassy in Argentina has not had an ambassador since January 2017.
If his nomination is approved, Prado will fill a vacancy left by former ambassador Noah Mamet who resigned on news of Trump having won office. It is protocol for political appointees like Mamet to step down upon a change of government.
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