Trinidad-born national appointed US Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago

Ambassador previously served as Sgt. Maj. of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in Florida

The U.S. senate has confirmed Trinidadian-born former Marine John L. Estrada as the new U.S. ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago.

President Obama’s nomination of Estrada, among others, was delayed due to opposition in the senate, let by Sen. Ted Cruz. Estrada previously served as Sgt. Maj. of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in Miramar, Florida, from 2001 to 2003.

Estrada, a Trinidad and Tobago native, retired from the Marine Corps in June 2007 after 34 years of active duty.

On July 30, 2013, Estrada was nominated by US President Barack Obama to replace Beatrice Welters, who resigned the post in October 2012.

After leaving the Marine Corps in 2007, Estrada worked as a business development specialist for engineering firm Coalescent Technology Corporation from 2007 to 2008. Estrada was appointed senior manager for Lockheed Martin Training Solutions in 2008.

Estrada is also currently a member of the American Battle Monuments Commission. He has also served on the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, the national Board of Directors for Operation Homefront, and the executive committee for the United Services Organization.