Foreign affairs remains a key priority for the United States, especially during today's fluid geopolitical climate. It is more crucial than ever to have a well-equipped team of foreign ambassadors representing the United States. Just this week, Professor Frank O. Mora was confirmed by the US Senate to be an ambassador to the Organization of American States.
The Organization of American States is the oldest regional organization in the world, dating back it's founding to the late 19th Century. Since its conception, the OAS has dictated the common political and judicial culture for its 35 member states in the Americas.
Professor Mora earned this position for his expertise in the field of foreign policy concerning Latin America and the Caribbean. Mora's official appointment makes him a, "permanent representative," of the United States within the OAS, which is the equivalent of an ambassador.
Mora has previously contributed to The Floridian in the past, commenting on the foreign policy approach of the Trump Administration on the Maduro regime in Venezuela. In 2020 Mora said this in regard to American foreign policy on Venezuela "U.S. actions can’t be focused exclusively on coercive actions…the pandemic and infinite humanitarian needs provide an opportunity to get back to the table through diplomatic means."
In his career in academia, Mora served as director of the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center (LACC) from 2013 to 2019, where his understanding of the region helped elevate the center nationally and internationally.
"Professor Mora helped LACC become a solution center on major issues facing the region and I know he will do the same at OAS,’" said Shlomi Dinar, interim dean of the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs at FIU, which houses LACC. "It is a testament to the caliber of Green School faculty with direct policy experience like Dr. Mora, who are able to provide critical real-world solutions in the area of foreign policy and international affairs."
Mora has since thanked the Biden Administration for his nomination to the position he seems to be duly qualified for. Hopefully, Mora can bring to the table what his résumé indicates he can.
