U.S. envoy to Mexico submits resignation

MEXICO CITY •TheU.S. ambassador to Mexico, Roberta Jacobson, is resigning from her post this spring amid strained relations between the two countries and on the heels of other notable departures from the State Department.

In a note sent to embassy staff Thursday, Jacobson wrote that she has submitted her resignation and it takes effect May 5, which is two years to the day after she was sworn in as ambassador. “After more than 31 years of U.S. Government service, I have come to the difficult decision that it is the right time to move on to new challenges and adventures . ... This decision is all the more difficult because of my profound belief in the importance of the U.S.-Mexico relationship and knowledge that it is at a crucial moment,” Jacobson said. She did not say why she made the decision, but tweeted later Thursday that she is leaving “in search of other opportunities.” Diplomatic ties between Washington and Mexico City have been strained under the Trump administration amid the president’s tough stance and sharp rhetoric on migration and trade, and repeated vows to build a border wall and force Mexico to pay for it. The countries are currently in a seventh round of talks in Mexico City on renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement, along with Canada.

“I think in a very difficult situation in the bilateral relationship, (Jacobson) was doing stellarly,” said Jorge Guajardo, a former Mexican diplomat and senior director at McLarty Associates in Washington. “She was just focusing on what could be achieved, not getting into the noise of the relationship, actually just focusing on bringing the two countries together. So I think she’ ll be missed.”