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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release May 1, 1996

THE PRESIDENT NAMES AMBASSADOR TO VENEZUELA

The President today announced the nomination of John Francis Maisto of Pennsylvania, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, as Ambassador to the Republic of Venezuela.

He has been Ambassador to Nicaragua since September 1993, during Nicaragua's transition to democracy. From 1992 to 1993 he was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central America and Panama. He served as Deputy Permanent U.S. Representative to the Organization of American States from 1989 to 1992, and was Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge d'Affaires in Panama from 1986 to 1989. Following service in Manila, he directed the Office of Philippine Affairs from 1984 to 1986 during the transition to democracy. His other assignments include Costa Rica, Bolivia, and Argentina.

Born in Braddock Pennsylvania, Ambassador Maisto attended Waynesburg College, graduated from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, and has a Master's Degree from San Carlos University in Guatemala. His languages are Spanish and Italian. Ambassador Maisto is married to Maria Consuelo Gaston Maisto; they have one son and two daughters.

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