President Donald Trump has nominated House Speaker Daniel "Danny" Perez (R-Miami) as the next U.S. ambassador to Brazil this week.
Perez, 38, is finishing final term in the House. He was first elected to House representing District 116, covering part of Miami-Dade County, in 2017 before becoming Speaker in 2024.
His confirmation awaits approval from the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate. The ambassadorship is currently vacant, with Gabriel Escobar presently serving as the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires ad interim (acting ambassador) to Brazil since January 2025.
Brazil is the largest country in South America and a vital diplomatic and strategic partner to the United States.
"Congratulations to Florida House Speaker @Daniel_PerezFL on his nomination by President @realDonaldTrump to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Brazil," the Republican Party of Florida wrote. Speaker Perez has been a strong leader for Florida and will represent our nation well. Wishing him a swift confirmation."
U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) also congratulated Perez on the nomination.
"Congratulations to my friend & fellow Christopher Columbus Explorer, FL Speaker of the House Danny Pérez, on being nominated by President Trump to serve as our nation’s next Ambassador to Brazil! Yet another Cuban-American serving as one of our top diplomats," Gimenez wrote.
Perez, like Gimenez, is Cuban and went to Christopher Columbus High School in Miami. Born in New York, Perez graduated with a bachelor's degree from Florida State University in 2009 and a law degree from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2012.
In addition, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) congratulated Perez.
"Congratulations to my good friend Speaker @Daniel_PerezFL on his nomination to be the U.S. Ambassador to Brazil. I look forward to your leadership and service to our great country," Diaz- Balart wrote.
If confirmed, Perez joins several Miami-area figures in ambassador positions, including former Miami-Dade Commissioner Kevin Cabrera to Panama, Benworth Capital President Bernie Navarro to Peru, and Leon Medical Centers Founder Benjamin Leon Jr. to Spain.
