Biden’s DEI Obsession Leaves President Trump with a Diplomatic Disaster to Fix
Ambassador Marc Ostfield
The Biden administration’s obsession with DEI has left a trail of cultural and diplomatic disasters, setting the stage for a nightmare scenario that Donald Trump must confront when he returns to the White House in less than two weeks. One glaring example is the appointment of Ambassador Marc Ostfield to Paraguay, a DEI-driven choice who prioritized identity over competence, leaving U.S.-Paraguay relations in disarray.
Paraguay, a small but strategically significant nation in South America, has long maintained strong ties with the United States. This relationship stretches back to the nineteenth century, when President Rutherford B. Hayes arbitrated a boundary dispute between Paraguay and Argentina, ruling in Paraguay’s favor. In recognition of this historic decision, Paraguay named a department after Hayes, cementing his legacy in the nation’s history. This foundational bond between the two countries has made Paraguay a key partner for the U.S. in promoting regional stability and economic cooperation.
However, the Biden administration’s neglect of this vital ally has weakened those ties. The appointment of Marc Ostfield as U.S. ambassador in March 2022 was heralded as a milestone for diversity, as Ostfield is openly LGBT. While this fit neatly into the administration’s DEI priorities, it did little to address the practical realities of U.S.-Paraguay relations. Ostfield’s tenure was marred by missteps, including a failure to maintain strong diplomatic ties and mismanagement of growing tensions with Paraguayan leaders.
In August 2024, the Paraguayan government effectively ordered Ostfield to leave following U.S. sanctions on a tobacco company linked to former Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes. These sanctions, while aimed at combating corruption, were perceived as heavy-handed interference, further straining relations. Adding to the confusion, it remains unclear if Ostfield has actually departed Paraguay. This uncertainty exemplifies the instability left by Biden’s foreign policy and highlights the challenges awaiting Trump as he works to restore order.
Paraguay is far more important than it may appear at first glance. Strategically located in the heart of South America, it serves as a critical hub for regional trade and energy. The Itaipu Dam, one of the largest hydroelectric projects in the world, supplies energy to Brazil and Argentina, making Paraguay a linchpin of the continent’s energy infrastructure. Additionally, its agricultural output, particularly in soybeans and beef, plays a vital role in global food supply chains.
Under Biden, aid programs have been cut, and diplomatic engagement has waned, leaving Paraguay vulnerable to outside influence. While the U.S. has traditionally been a trusted partner, the mishandling of relations under Biden has created a vacuum that adversarial nations are eager to exploit. Rebuilding this trust and stabilizing the relationship will now fall to Trump, who inherits a fractured landscape both at home and abroad.
The failure of Biden’s DEI-driven appointment strategy is not limited to Paraguay. It reflects a broader pattern of prioritizing identity politics over competence, with real-world consequences. Paraguay stands as a case study of how these policies can weaken alliances and undermine U.S. interests on the global stage. Trump faces the monumental task of repairing this damage, ensuring that American diplomacy is once again focused on strategy and substance rather than ideological priorities.
Steve Grillon is a businessman living in Miami with extensive diplomatic experience and knowledge of South America Sent from my iPad
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