MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente stepped down from his post on Wednesday, April 1, citing ongoing spinal health complications that have required two surgeries and now demand a more intensive period of rehabilitation. President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the departure in a joint video message alongside de la Fuente and his designated successor, Roberto Velasco Álvarez, the ministry’s sub-secretary for North America.
“Juan Ramón asked me to allow him to step away to address his health condition, which has not been fully resolved,” Sheinbaum said in the announcement posted to her official X account. “It involves his spine. He has had to undergo surgery on a couple of occasions.”
The president confirmed de la Fuente remains part of her political project and will return to a different role within the federal administration once his recovery is complete.
De la Fuente, a 74-year-old psychiatrist and former rector of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), addressed ministry staff directly in an internal message, explaining that his spinal condition remains unresolved and that he faces a demanding rehabilitation process — and possibly a third surgical procedure.
“I have already undergone two surgical interventions. I am better, but I need to fully rehabilitate to remain active and productive,” he stated, according to reporting from El Financiero and Infobae.
This is not the first time de la Fuente’s health forced an interruption of his tenure. In November 2025, he took a 34-day medical leave of absence to undergo surgery, during which Velasco served as acting head of the ministry. He returned to the post in January 2026 but was ultimately unable to continue at full capacity.
De la Fuente was appointed foreign secretary on October 1, 2024, when Sheinbaum assumed the presidency. Over the course of his tenure, he navigated one of the most turbulent periods in recent Mexico-U.S. diplomatic history — managing commercial tensions tied to the USMCA review, the Trump administration’s tariff threats, and pressure on issues of migration and security.
He also oversaw consular assistance operations for Mexican nationals in the Middle East. Before joining Sheinbaum’s cabinet, de la Fuente served as Mexico’s permanent representative to the United Nations from 2018 to 2023 under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. He previously served as Mexico’s Secretary of Health under President Ernesto Zedillo from 1994 to 1999, and as UNAM rector from 1999 to 2007.
Velasco Tapped to Lead Ministry Through High-Stakes Period
Sheinbaum designated Velasco Álvarez, 38, one of the youngest cabinet members in her administration, to take over the Secretariat of Foreign Relations (SRE). The nomination requires ratification by the Mexican Senate, a step considered largely procedural given that Sheinbaum’s Morena party commands a strong legislative majority in the chamber.
Velasco holds a law degree from Universidad Iberoamericana and a master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago. He has spent more than six years within the foreign ministry, rising from director general of public affairs to head of the North America unit, and most recently as subsecretary for North America — a role he has held since October 2025.
His portfolio included leading bilateral and trilateral negotiations with the United States and Canada on border security, migration, water management, and economic affairs.
De la Fuente himself endorsed his successor in his farewell remarks to staff. “I am certain he will be a chancellor who will provide great support to the president and will continue working for Mexico,” he said, according to Diario.mx. In his own statement, Velasco pledged to defend Mexican sovereignty, protect Mexican nationals abroad, and pursue strategic cooperation with international partners on the basis of mutual respect.
Some analysts and opposition voices have raised questions about Velasco’s relative youth and whether he has sufficient experience to manage high-stakes conflicts and respond to external pressure from the Trump administration. El Siglo de Torreón noted that critics have pointed to his limited international exposure outside of the bilateral North America framework.
Timing and Context
The cabinet change comes at a pivotal moment for Mexican diplomacy. Bilateral relations with Washington remain under pressure over tariffs, cartel designations, and a scheduled review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Mexico recently surpassed Canada as the top buyer of U.S. goods, deepening economic interdependence even as political tensions persist.
The upcoming FIFA 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, is also expected to generate significant diplomatic and logistical coordination between the three governments in the months ahead.
Sociedad Media will continue to monitor developments in Mexico’s foreign policy and the broader trajectory of U.S.-Latin American relations. As the region navigates an increasingly complex diplomatic landscape — from USMCA tensions and migration pressures to shifting political alliances across Central and South America — we remain committed to delivering timely, sourced reporting for Miami’s Hispanic community. Contact us at info@sociedadmedia.com for inquiries
