The Chilean government has announced that a new set of diplomatic appointments will be unveiled this Wednesday. This second phase of appointments follows the recent officialization of representatives to multilateral organizations such as the UN, OAS, and OECD.
Among the names already confirmed by La Moneda is businessman Andrés Ergas, who will serve as Ambassador to the United States. Ergas has already received the necessaryagrémentfrom the U.S. government for his appointment.
Career diplomat Milenko Skoknic has also been ratified to lead the mission in Peru. Skoknic brings extensive experience to the role, having previously represented Chile at the United Nations during the Sebastián Piñera administration.
New Appointments and Shifts in the Foreign Service
The list of appointments also includes several political appointees. Government sources indicate that former Republican deputy Harry Jürgensen Rundshagen could be sent as Ambassador to Austria.
In parallel, this change in leadership has triggered an internal restructuring within the foreign service. Following the departures of outgoing ambassadors, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently managing transfers and new postings for career officials.
Diplomat Carola Muñoz, who served as Ambassador to Ecuador until March, will be reassigned to Cuba. Muñoz previously served as Chief of Staff for former Foreign Minister Antonia Urrejola.
Additionally, James Sinclair, a former career diplomat and protocol advisor to the current administration, will be appointed to the Holy See. Sinclair had left the foreign service in 2019 after a career spanning four decades.
Regarding the future of Ambassador Manahi Pakarati, conflicting reports remain regarding her role. While some sectors suggest her career may be nearing an end following controversial posts concerning Rapa Nui, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains that she is currently working within the Directorate of Cultures, Arts, Heritage, and Public Diplomacy in Santiago.