Juan Ramón de la Fuente has resigned as head of Mexico's Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) due to back health issues requiring full rehabilitation. President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the departure and will nominate current North America subsecretary Roberto Velasco Álvarez as his successor. Velasco's appointment requires Senate ratification.
Juan Ramón de la Fuente announced his resignation on Wednesday as Foreign Affairs Secretary due to a spinal column issue that has required two surgeries and full rehabilitation. "It is a delicate matter; I have already undergone two surgical interventions, I am better but I need to fully rehabilitate," he explained in a video alongside President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Sheinbaum confirmed on her X account that De la Fuente will rejoin the government project in another role after recovery. In November 2025, De la Fuente took leave for surgery, with Roberto Velasco assuming interim duties at the SRE.
Roberto Velasco Álvarez, 38, holds a law degree from Universidad Iberoamericana and a master's in Public Affairs from the University of Chicago. Since 2020, he has coordinated North America policy at the SRE, handling security, migration, and trade with the United States and Canada. He was right-hand man to Marcelo Ebrard during his tenure as foreign secretary.
Velasco pledged to defend Mexican sovereignty and protect nationals abroad. His Senate ratification, with Morena's majority, is expected without issues amid diplomatic challenges like T-MEC review and tensions with the Trump administration.
