Mark A. Wells

Mark Wells serves as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. Prior to that he was Deputy Assistant Secretary in Western Hemisphere Affairs covering South America and regional economic policy, and briefly covering the Caribbean, during 2021-2023. A member of the Senior Foreign Service, rank of minister-counselor, Mr. Wells served as the Deputy Chief of Mission in Bogota, Colombia (2019-2021), and Lima, Peru (2017-2019). His earlier overseas assignments include Colombia, Venezuela, Iraq, Bolivia, and Mexico. His domestic assignments include Coordinator for Cuban Affairs, Office Director for Western Hemisphere Programs in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and senior desk officer for Colombia and Venezuela. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Mr. Wells worked in the Office of Summit Coordination as a coordinator for the first Summit of the Americas in Miami in 1994 and second Summit of the Americas in Santiago, Chile, in 1998. Mr. Wells holds master’s degrees in from the National War College and the George Washington University, and a bachelor’s degree in government from Oral Roberts University in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He speaks fluent Spanish.

U.S. Department of State

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