Ambassador of Guatemala

Her Excellency Carla María Rodríguez Mancia, Guatemala’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, brings to London an extensive career in multilateral diplomacy spanning nearly four decades. As she continues to settle into her posting, she notes one of the British capital’s simplest pleasures: “I am still learning many things about London and getting myself established here. But I adore the parks and all their green space. The parks in London are something special.”

A Career Shaped by Multilateralism

Before her appointment to the Court of St James’s, Ambassador Rodríguez Mancia held several distinguished posts, including Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the United Nations in New York and earlier as Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva.

“My career is not easy to summarise,” she reflects, “but I’ve been engaged mainly in human rights, international labour issues, and dispute settlement on trade as Guatemala transitioned from GATT to the World Trade Organisation.”

Her work has also encompassed global health policy through the World Health Organisation—particularly during the pandemic—as well as the recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples. In New York, she played an active role in discussions surrounding the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine.

“We supported several initiatives on the rule of law concerning the International Criminal Court and the establishment of a specific tribunal for Ukraine.”

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

As Ambassador to Spain – her first full bilateral posting – Her Excellency focused on deepening the relationship between Guatemala and the Kingdom of Spain.

“We increased trade, tourism, investment and cooperation in many common areas,” she recalls. “We promoted the implementation of the trade pillar of the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union in Spain, working with all eight autonomous communities. The result was an increase in commercial exchange, among other achievements.”

A Calling Inspired by a Turning Point in History

Ambassador Rodríguez Mancia’s entry into diplomacy was rooted in a historic national transition.

“Nobody in my family has been in the diplomatic service. I began my career in the United Nations – specifically UNICEF – working for children around the world. But I realised I wanted to do something more specific for my country.”

After many years of dictatorships during the internal armed conflict, Guatemala’s Christian Democratic government was elected. "A new constitution was established and many of my university professors became ministers. Having these role models at such an important moment in our history certainly influenced my career path,” she says.

Priorities in the United Kingdom

Now in London, Ambassador Rodríguez Mancia aims to build upon the strong foundations of Guatemala–UK relations.

“From a political point of view, our relationship is excellent. We share many of the same principles and work together in the UN on common issues. But we can do more to enhance these relationships for the benefit of our populations.”

Priorities include strengthening cooperation in trade, tourism, investment, and environmental protection—an area where the Ambassador sees significant potential for collaboration.

“His Majesty King Charles III has long been a leader in environmental consciousness and sustainable production. This is an important issue where our countries can work together.”

Upholding Principles in a Changing World

When asked how to sustain long-term bilateral relations amid shifting geopolitical priorities, the Ambassador’s response is grounded in conviction:

“The priorities might change, but the principles are always the same. If we adhere to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and keep multilateralism as an essential tool, that is the best way to preserve positive bilateral relations.”

She acknowledges that multilateralism can sometimes be slow, but insists its value is irreplaceable: “Even if we have disagreements, having a community that shares universal principles gives us a forum for dialogue. The world would be worse without it.”

The Pact for the Future

Last year, Ambassador Rodríguez Mancia participated in the UN’s Pact for the Future, adopted at the 2024 Summit of the Future.

“We reaffirmed our commitment to the UN’s pillars—peace, security, development, and human rights—while addressing new areas such as digital governance. The principles remain the same: respect for democracy, rule of law, and non-discrimination. The path to the future is through dialogue and cooperation.”

Confronting Guatemala’s Diplomatic Challenges

Turning to her homeland’s challenges, the Ambassador identifies transnational organised crime as a major concern.

“These groups are financed by drugs but also engage in human and arms trafficking. They generate poverty, corruption, and migration. When people face violence and lack opportunities, it creates a vicious cycle that undermines governance.”

A Career of Historic Moments

Among the most memorable moments of her career, Ambassador Rodríguez Mancia highlights the signing of Guatemala’s 1996 peace agreements that ended 36 years of internal conflict.

“It was a turning point that allowed us to become a democratic nation again and to contribute to international peace efforts. It opened the door for Guatemala to serve on the UN Economic and Social Council, the Human Rights Council, and the UN Security Council.”

Her diplomatic journey has also been marked by milestones of personal and symbolic importance—from presenting her first credentials to Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in 2006, to more recently presenting them to His Majesty King Charles III.

“Another particularly special moment was presenting credentials to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, as I was the first woman to hold that post for Guatemala.”

She notes that while progress has been made, women remain underrepresented in senior diplomatic posts. “After 80 years of the UN, there are still only 20 to 30 women ambassadors among 193 member states. We have yet to see a woman Secretary-General or even parity among presidents of the General Assembly. Something must be done to change this.”

Guatemala’s Evolving Foreign Policy

Reflecting on four decades of diplomatic service, the Ambassador observes that Guatemala’s foreign policy has evolved dramatically since the end of the Cold War and the signing of the peace accords.

“During the years of conflict, Guatemala and much of Latin America were isolated by military dictatorships and Cold War politics. The peace agreements changed everything—regionally and internationally.”

She underscores the role of regional integration and cooperation:

“Central America has long pursued forms of regional cooperation similar to the European Union, even predating it. The combination of regionalism and multilateralism was key to ending conflict and strengthening democracy.”

Life Beyond Diplomacy

Away from the Embassy, Ambassador Rodríguez Mancia enjoys London’s cultural and natural offerings.

“My main hobby is working,” she admits with a smile, “but I love walking, cooking, reading, and decorating. I’m a big fan of your museums, especially the Victoria and Albert Museum, with its wonderful collections of design, textiles, and jewellery.”

A Steadfast Commitment

Her Excellency’s career embodies a steadfast belief in multilateralism and the enduring value of dialogue. As she represents Guatemala in the United Kingdom, her focus remains on strengthening cooperation and upholding principles that transcend political shifts.

“As long as we can maintain the rule of law, non-violence, dialogue, and multilateralism,” she concludes, “we can build the best possible relationships between countries.”