Sheinbaum Proposes Economist Roberto Lazzeri as Mexico's New US Ambassador Ahead of USMCA Review

At her April 23 mañanera, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced she will propose Roberto Lazzeri — current director of Mexican development banks Bancomext and Nacional Financiera and a former Finance Ministry official — as Mexico's next ambassador to the United States. The nomination comes at a critical diplomatic and commercial juncture: the USMCA joint review deadline of July 1, 2026 is approaching, and the first formal bilateral negotiating round is set for the week of May 25 in Mexico City. Lazzeri replaces Esteban Moctezuma, who has held the post since 2021. Sheinbaum cited Lazzeri's economics background as essential for navigating trade negotiations. Bloomberg reported she was 'waiting for a US green light' (formal agrement) before making the announcement official, and that the appointment still requires Mexican Senate ratification. The selection of a technocrat with deep financial expertise signals that Sheinbaum is treating the USMCA review as primarily an economic rather than a political challenge.