Chacón, Arnold A., 1956-

Arnold A. Chacón (born 1956) is an American government official.

Originally from Denver, Chacón is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, with a BA in international affairs. From 1974-1980, he was involved in Amigos de las Américas (AMIGOS), a program that encourages young adults to volunteer in Latin America. Chacón began as a volunteer in Nicaragua and Honduras; worked as staff in Nicaragua, Ecuador and Mexico; and then served on the International Office staff. He began his diplomatic career in 1981.

He served in a number of overseas posts including and political/consular officer in Honduras, staff assistant to the chief of mission in Mexico, political officer in Italy and Chile, political counselor in Peru, and deputy chief of mission in Ecuador (2002-2005). Chacón also served as an American Political Science Association Fellow, watch officer in the State Department’s Operations Center, political advisor at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Italy desk officer, special assistant to the assistant secretary of state for western hemisphere affairs, and deputy director of Central American affairs.

His last three assignments before becoming ambassador were deputy executive secretary in the State Department’s Executive Secretariat (2005-2007), director of Andean affairs in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, and deputy chief of mission at the embassy in Madrid, Spain.

As Ambassador to Guatemala from 2011-2014, he implemented one of the largest economic development, counter-narcotics and rule of law programs in Latin America, directing 500 staff and representing a dozen U.S. Government agencies. As Director General of the Foreign Service from 2014-2017, Ambassador Chacón developed strategic guidance for the Human Resources Bureau of 900 employees who carry out the full range of human resources activities for the State Department’s 75,000 worldwide workforce.

Following his position as Director General, Ambassador Chacón served as Diplomat in Residence at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He joined the National Defense University as its Senior Vice President in August 2018. He speaks Spanish and Italian.