Senate Confirms Nathalie Rayes as U.S. Ambassador to Croatia

The position has gone without a Senate-confirmed leader since January 2021.

The U.S. Senate today held a recorded vote to confirm one individual nominated by President Joe Biden to represent the United States abroad as an Ambassador. Today’s confirmation covers a political appointee instead of a career member of the Senior Foreign Service.

In a 53-47 vote, Nathalie Rayes was confirmed as the U.S. Ambassador to Croatia. The posting has been led by several chargé d’affaires since January 2021, when Robert Kohorst resigned after serving since January 2018.

Rayes was nominated to this position by Biden in May 2023. Since October 2022, she has served as a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace.

An immigrant from Venezuela, Rayes is the President and CEO of Latino Victory. Her previous leadership positions include serving as the Vice Chair of the Hispanic Federation, Vice Chair of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Chair of the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) Binational Advisory Group, and Board Member of the Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program.