Offices and Departments

Public Affairs Section (PAS)

The Public Affairs Officer, Linda Gonzalez, heads the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Mission in Peru. PAS coordinates relations with national and foreign media, as well as cultural relations between Peru and the United States. PAS advises the Mission on issues of public diplomacy and promotes the values and culture of American society. It coordinates with other sections of the Embassy and works closely with the Government of Peru to strengthen bilateral relations. It also carries out a series of joint activities with private sector institutions and the civil society.

PAS promotes and advocates U.S. policy, focusing on the areas of democracy and human rights, economic growth and free trade, sustainable environmental management, and counternarcotics strategies. PAS also coordinates a wide range of bilateral programs on these and other topics, bringing U.S. lecturers, organizing Digital Videoconferences, supporting conferences and educational and cultural exchanges. PAS works in coordination with the Bureau of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs of the Department of State in Washington, D.C.

Press Office

Under the direction of the Press Attaché, Dan Martinez, the Press Office works with local and foreign media informing them of U.S. Government policies and explaining bilateral issues. The Press Attaché acts as the Embassy spokesman. The Press Office provides a variety of information services including distribution of press releases, policy papers and speeches, publication of articles and thematic bulletins, edition of the Embassy web site, organization of press conferences and coordination of ambassadorial interviews, among other activities. On the occasion of visits by high level U.S. officials, the Press Office organizes press conferences and interviews and provides support for international press accompanying official delegations.

The Press Office is responsible for preparing, editing and translating outreach documents and materials, and promotes informational and cultural events, thereby establishing rapport with the public. The Embassy's Information Resource Center (IRC) is under the Press Office's purview.

Cultural Office

Under the direction of the Cultural Attaché, Paul Degler, the Cultural Office is responsible for promoting cultural and educational ties between the United States and Peru. The Assistant Cultural Attaché, Steve Ramirez, works closely with Peruvian institutions organizing digital videoconferences, lectures, art exhibitions, and a variety of other presentations by U.S. government officials and important U.S. academic and cultural specialists. Activities under the Cultural Office's purview include coordination of the International Visitors Program, educational and academic exchange programs offering both Peruvian and U.S. experts the opportunity to exchange experiences in a variety of subjects of mutual interest.

Under the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the governments of Peru and the United States, the Cultural Office works with the Government of Peru in the area of Cultural Patrimony Protection. The Cultural Office's activities are carried out in close collaboration with the Fulbright Commission and Binational Centers in Peru, and in coordination with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State.

Regional Office of English Language Programs

Under the direction of the Regional English Language Officer, Ms. Kay Davis, the Regional Office of English Language Programs works with local educational institutions to improve the teaching of English as a foreign language in the private and public sectors.  It consults with host-country ministry, university, and teacher-training officials on questions pertaining to English teaching, conducts need analyses, and offers professional guidance on all aspects of an academic program, advises teachers’ associations, organizes and participates in conferences, as well as lectures and presents workshops on EFL methodology and practices and teaching training seminars. The RELO also works closely with English Language Specialists, English Language Fellows, and U.S. Embassy-related English Language Programs such as the Binational Centers.    The Regional Office based in Lima covers Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.