Mexican ambassador pledges to ‘defend the interests of Mexicans’

Carlos Sada Solana pledged “to defend the interests of Mexico and the interests of Mexicans” on Thursday as he was sworn in to head the Mexican Embassy in Washington, D.C.

{mosads}The Mexican government and President Obama’s administration have publicly touted the strength of the bilateral economic relationship between the U.S. and Mexico while discussing more complicated issues like human rights behind closed doors. 

Mexico revamped its U.S. diplomatic strategy in April, seeking to improve the country’s image with its northern neighbor.

Sada replaces Mexico’s previous ambassador, Miguel Basáñez, who was on the job for seven months.

Basáñez was caught off guard by the success of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, as well as the prominence of Mexico and immigration as campaign issues.