Last Sunday, a page was turned within the United States embassy in Rabat. Career diplomat Aimee Cutrona has officially taken office as charge d’affaires, succeeding Ambassador Puneet Talwar, who has been in the role for more than two years. This change comes as the United States was preparing to experience the inauguration of Donald Trump for his second presidential term.
Building on a career that began in 1999 in Addis Ababa, Aimee Cutrona brings diversified and proven expertise to her new responsibilities. Before her assignment to Rabat in July 2022 as deputy head of mission, she held strategic positions in Bahrain, Ethiopia, El Salvador, Qatar and Egypt. In Washington, she also served as Director of the Office of Levantine Affairs and Assistant Secretary of State for Levantine Affairs, thereby consolidating a keen understanding of issues in the Middle East and North Africa.
A graduate of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) with a concentration in international relations and conflict management, as well as Smith College, Cutrona has the qualifications necessary to strengthen strategic ties between the United States and Morocco.
Read also: Resignation of Puneet Talwar a few hours before Donald Trump takes office (Video)
This handover at the embassy is part of a dynamic of continuity. During the confirmation hearing of Marco Rubio as the new Secretary of State of the Trump administration, the latter reiterated American support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, a historic decision adopted by Donald Trump in 2020. Rubio highlighted the strategic opportunities offered by this alliance, particularly in the fight against terrorism and economic development in the region.
-In the same spirit, Deputy Joe Wilson, chairman of the American-Moroccan caucus in the House of Representatives, recalled the importance of this 250-year-old bilateral relationship. “ Morocco is an essential partner of the United States, an unwavering ally in a strategic region “, he said.
Cutrona’s appointment coincides with a pivotal moment in the United States: the inauguration of Donald Trump for his second presidential term. Due to extreme weather conditions, with temperatures reaching -6°C, the ceremony was exceptionally moved to the Capitol Rotunda, a decision reminiscent of that of Ronald Reagan in 1985 when the mercury fell to -14°C.
Although this decision disappointed some Trump supporters, who came in their thousands to attend this milestone event, the presidential team was able to maintain enthusiasm by organizing a large rally the day before at the Capital One Arena. This popular momentum also resulted in record fundraising for the ceremony, with $170 million raised as of January 8.
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