H.E. Michelle Kwan, the new US Ambassador to Belize, is a career US diplomat and world champion retired figure skater. She recently arrived in Belize with her family to take up the appointment.

BELMOPAN. Mon. Dec. 5, 2022

Former world champion figure skater and the new US Ambassador to Belize, H.E. Michelle Kwan, has indicated her enthusiasm for her new role, after officially delivering her letters of credence to Governor General H.E. Dame Froyla Tzalam this morning. 

Ambassador Kwan was appointed by President Joe Biden early this year—an appointment that was confirmed by the US Senate back in September, and on October 10 she was officially sworn in to be the new US Ambassador to Belize, the first since the departure of Carlos Moreno.

Kwan is the most decorated figure skater in US history, having won over 43 championships, including 5 world championships and 2 Olympic medals. Since 2006 she has served the US as a public diplomacy ambassador, traveling widely as an envoy working with youth and athletes. In December 2012 she was appointed as the US State Department’s senior adviser for public diplomacy and public affairs.

“… noting the strong relationship shared with the U.S…. She committed to ‘work to continue and expand these efforts regarding our many mutual goals shared by both Belizean citizens and the many U.S. citizens who reside in and visit Belize each year,’” the release issued by the Government Press Office states.