Diego C. Asencio

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Diego Cortes Asencio (July 15, 1931 – October 6, 2020)^[1] was an American diplomat who served as United States Ambassador to Colombia (1977–1980) and United States Ambassador to Brazil (1983–86).^[2] He was a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy and Council on Foreign Relations.^[3]

Key Information

Diego Asencio
Asencio in June 1990
17th United States Ambassador to Colombia
In office December 6, 1977 – June 22, 1980
President	Jimmy Carter
Preceded by	Phillip V. Sanchez
Succeeded by	Thomas D. Boyatt
21st United States Ambassador to Brazil
In office December 20, 1983 – February 28, 1986
President	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Langhorne A. Motley
Succeeded by	Harry W. Shlaudeman
8th Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
In office August 29, 1980 – November 21, 1983
Preceded by	Barbara M. Watson
Succeeded by	Joan M. Clark
Personal details
Born	(1931-07-15)July 15, 1931
Died	October 6, 2020(2020-10-06) (aged 89) Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
Profession	Diplomat
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In 1980 Asencio was – along with a dozen other diplomats – held hostage for 61 days when members of the guerrilla group 19th of April Movement (M-19), led by Rosemberg Pabón, seized the Dominican Republic's embassy in Bogotá.^[4]