Diego Cortes Asencio (July 15, 1931 – October 6, 2020)[1] was an American diplomat who served as United States Ambassador to Colombia (1977–1980) and United States Ambassador to Brazil (1983–86).[2] He was a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy and Council on Foreign Relations.[3]

Diego Asencio
Asencio in June 1990
17th United States Ambassador to Colombia
In office
December 6, 1977 – June 22, 1980
PresidentJimmy Carter
Preceded byPhillip V. Sanchez
Succeeded byThomas D. Boyatt
21st United States Ambassador to Brazil
In office
December 20, 1983 – February 28, 1986
PresidentRonald Reagan
Preceded byLanghorne A. Motley
Succeeded byHarry W. Shlaudeman
8th Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
In office
August 29, 1980 – November 21, 1983
Preceded byBarbara M. Watson
Succeeded byJoan M. Clark
Personal details
Born(1931-07-15)July 15, 1931
DiedOctober 6, 2020(2020-10-06) (aged 89)
Palm Beach, Florida
ProfessionDiplomat

In 1980 Asencio was – along with a dozen other diplomats – held hostage for 61 days when members of the guerrilla group 19th of April Movement (M-19), led by Rosemberg Pabón, seized the Dominican Republic's embassy in Bogotá.[4]

Books

edit
  • Diego Asencio (1983), Our Man Is Inside, Little Brown, ISBN 978-0-316-05294-8

References

edit
  1. ^ "Diego Cortes Asencio". The Foreign Service Journal. 98 (1). January–February 2021.
  2. ^ "The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training Foreign Affairs Oral History Project AMBASSADOR DIEGO ASENCIO" (PDF). Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training. April 7, 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  3. ^ Ambassador Diego C. Asencio, http://asencioassociates.com/DCA.htm Archived July 29, 2013, at archive.today
  4. ^ People, June 30, 1980, Hero Diplomat Diego Asencio Reflects on His 61 Perilous Days as a Hostage in Bogotá

Article, Washington Post, Dateline Bogota, Colombia, February 28, 1980, by Charles A Krause, "Envoy Takes Charge" U.S. Ambassador Wins Respect From All With Candor, Wit and Confident Manner

edit
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Colombia
December 6, 1977 – June 22, 1980
Succeeded by
Government offices
Preceded by Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
August 29, 1980 – November 21, 1983
Succeeded by
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Brazil
December 20, 1983 – February 28, 1986
Succeeded by