The Embassy of Mexico in Vienna

José Antonio Zabalgoitia Trejo

Ambassador José Antonio Zabalgoitia Trejo has a distinguished career in both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, showcasing his expertise as a negotiator. He has gained significant experience in North America and Latin America, making his career one of the most balanced in his generation. His focus on political functions positions him ideally to execute Mexico's foreign policy in multilateral settings.

In his multilateral role, Ambassador Zabalgoitia was responsible for political relations with the Organization of American States (OAS), where he led initiatives on democracy promotion, and multidimensional security, and coordinated efforts in human rights and development cooperation.

Having joined the foreign service in 1988 and was appointed as Ambassador in 2009, his career highlights include serving as the General Coordinator of Advisors to the Secretary (2006–2008), where he coordinated the foreign policy chapter in Mexico's National Development Plan and its corresponding Sectoral Plan. As Director General for Latin America (2001–2004) and Ambassador to Bolivia (2004–2006), he played a crucial role during Evo Morales' rise to power and the subsequent nationalization of hydrocarbons in Bolivia.

From 2008 to 2013, Ambassador Zabalgoitia served as Director General for American Multilateral Organizations, where he promoted the foundation and development of the Pacific Alliance. In this role, he led the multilateral negotiations that transformed the Rio Group into the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and built consensus to address various crises. He coordinated security cooperation with Central America (2011-2012) and participated in Mexico and Guatemala's mediation in the territorial dispute between Nicaragua and Costa Rica (2012). He also conceived and negotiated the democratic clause of the Ibero-American Conference, designed for gradual implementation including prevention and readmission considerations.

In 2017, he was appointed Chief of Chancery at the Embassy in the United States to strengthen the team responsible for rebuilding U.S.-Mexico relations and negotiating the USMCA. He served as Ambassador to the Netherlands and Permanent Representative of Mexico to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (2019-2023), where he chaired the 25th Conference of the States Parties. He also has consular experience, having been the Consul General in Miami (2013-2017).

Ambassador Zabalgoitia holds a degree in International Relations from El Colegio de México (1980-1985) and postgraduate degrees from the London School of Economics (International Relations, 1987), Universidad Complutense (Communication and Political Management, 1999), and the University of Oslo (Peace Studies, 1987). He is one of the first two civilians to earn a Master's degree in National Security and Defense from the National Defense College of Mexico (1989). In 2014, the Chilean government honoured him for his contributions to transforming the multilateral architecture of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Currently, Ambassador Zabalgoitia is the designated Ambassador to Austria, Slovakia, and Slovenia, and the Permanent Representative to the International Organizations based in Vienna.