Brief Professional Profile
Ambassador Nestor E. Mendez was appointed as the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Belize to the Organization of American States effective August 1, 2025. He is a distinguished Belizean diplomat and a seasoned multilateral executive with over three decades of outstanding service in international affairs, including seventeen years in senior leadership roles in the Americas. As Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) from July 2015 to July 2025, Ambassador Mendez was instrumental in shaping hemispheric policy dialogue, fostering consensus among thirty-four member states, and stewarding the institution’s political architecture through periods of complex crisis and transformation.
In his capacity as the second-highest official of the OAS, Ambassador Mendez oversaw the complex political work of the Permanent Council and the General Assembly and was also responsible for managing the network of national offices, ensuring operational continuity and strategic responsiveness. His tenure was marked by a proactive approach to political crisis resolution, institutional modernization—including the integration of artificial intelligence into various aspects of the work of the Organization—and the seamless transition of the operations of the OAS political apparatus into virtual environments during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has championed inclusive development, placing emphasis on climate resilience, gender equity, and youth empowerment through innovation and entrepreneurship.
Prior to his role at the OAS, Ambassador Mendez served from July 2008 to July 2015 as Belize’s Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the OAS, where he led high-level engagements with U.S. government agencies, coordinated regional caucuses (CARICOM and SICA), and advanced Belize’s interests in trade, investment, and tourism. He played a pivotal role in the Belize-Guatemala negotiation process and chaired multiple OAS political bodies, securing increased cooperation in areas such as energy, education, and climate adaptation.
His diplomatic career spans postings in Guatemala, the United Kingdom, and Washington, D.C., where he held progressively senior roles, including Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires. Ambassador Mendez holds a Master’s Degree in International Policy and Practice from George Washington University, a Graduate Certificate in Diplomatic Studies from Oxford University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Belize. He is fluent in English and Spanish, with working knowledge of French and Portuguese.
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Among his many responsibilities at the OAS, Ambassador Mendez also co-chaired two landmark Pan American Health Organization high-level commissions—one on universal health and the other on mental health—whose reports now serve as guiding frameworks for public health policy across the Americas. His career reflects a steadfast commitment to multilateralism, democratic governance, and the pursuit of equitable development throughout the hemisphere.
H.E. Nestor E. Mendez
Ambassador of Belize to the United States of America
and Permanent Representative of Belize to the OAS