Biography

Arnold A. Chacon, U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala

Arnold A. Chacon
U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala

Arnold A. Chacon began his duties as the United States Ambassador to Guatemala on Monday August 29, 2011, after presenting his credentials. A career Foreign Service officer, he has served in a number of leadership positions in Latin America and Europe, including Deputy Chief of Mission in Madrid. He has led initiatives to promote free and fair elections, advance respect for human rights, and support rule of law. Ambassador Chacon has also directed crisis management operations, worked with international partners to combat human trafficking, and advanced regional free trade agreements.

Ambassador Chacon has served as the State Department Deputy Executive Director in Washington, D.C. and at the United States Mission to the United Nations. He was a Fellow at the American Political Science Association, and is the recipient of the State Department’s Presidential Rank Award and other leadership honors. He speaks Spanish and Italian.

Ambassador Chacon grew up in Denver and received a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the University of Colorado at Boulder. His wife of 25 years, Alida Chacon, is also a member of the U.S. Foreign Service. They have three children.