Senate confirms William H. Duncan as the next Ambassador to El Salvador

December 13, 2022

Senate confirms William H. Duncan as the next Ambassador to El Salvador


The U.S. Senate confirmed William H. Duncan as the next U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of El Salvador, during an executive session held on Tuesday night, December 13.

William H. Duncan, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as a Senior Inspector in the Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of State. Previously, he served as Consul General in Monterrey, Mexico. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy Mexico City, Mexico. A Foreign Service officer since 1992, he has also served at U.S. Diplomatic Missions in Asunción, Madrid, Baghdad, Mexico City, Bogotá, San Salvador, and Matamoros. His domestic assignments include the Offices of Andean Affairs, Mexican Affairs, East African Affairs, and Central American Affairs, as well as the State Department Operations Center. Duncan has received numerous performance awards, including a Presidential Meritorious Service award and four Senior Foreign Service Performance awards.

A native of Louisiana, Duncan has a Bachelor’s Degree and a Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas. He speaks Spanish.

A date for Mr. Duncan’s arrival in El Salvador is expected to be announced soon. In the meantime, Katherine Dueholm will continue to serve as Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador.