Meet the New U.S. Ambassador to Cabo Verde

Ambassador John Jefferson Daigle

John Jefferson Daigle, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, is the new U.S. Ambassador to Cabo Verde.

He was previously a Designated Federal Official detailed to the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy in Washington, D.C. Before that he served as Executive Assistant in the Office of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the State Department. A Foreign Service Officer since 1999, Mr. Daigle has served tours on four continents and overseen large programs as Deputy Coordinator in the Bureau of International Information Programs and Deputy Chief of Mission in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Known for his leadership, he has been commended by the Office of the Inspector General for his management style and focus on nurturing talent. He also has a proven track record of forging productive interagency partnerships.

Previously, Mr. Daigle served the Department of State as Public Diplomacy Policy and Coordination Officer, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (2009 – 2011); Public Diplomacy Officer, Babil Provincial Reconstruction Team, Iraq (2008 – 2009); Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh, Cambodia (2005 – 2008); Consular Officer, U.S. Embassy Paris, France (2002 – 2004); and Assistant Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy Abuja, Nigeria (1999 – 2001). Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Mr. Daigle was a Regional Trainer, Hibernia Bank, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (1998 – 1999) and an English Teacher, American Language School, Yotsukaido, Japan (1996 – 1997). He also worked at Walt Disney World Company in Orlando, Florida, for a builder in Prairieville, Louisiana and as the Executive Director of the Louisiana Environmental Action Network in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Mr. Daigle earned a B.A. cum laude from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is the recipient of six notable Department of State Awards, including the Secretary’s Expeditionary Service Award.  Mr. Daigle speaks French, and basic Portuguese and Khmer.

He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 23, 2019.