Mexico appoints new ambassador to tackle 'anti-Mexican atmosphere' in US

The move comes after a series of comments about Mexicans by Republicans Donald Trump and Ted Cruz

Carlos Sada is to be tasked with countering anti-Mexican rhetoric in the US (YouTube)

Mexico has announced a new ambassador to Washington DC - a diplomat who will be tasked with tackling an "anti-Mexican atmosphere" in the US.

With US presidential candidates such as Donald Trump and Ted Cruz regularly raising the rhetoric about Mexico and with the New York tycoon even saying he will build a wall, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto promoted his current consul in Los Angeles, Carlos Sada, to be his ambassador in the US capital.

Reports said the move to promote Mr Sada was a shift in strategy by the Mexican government in regard to its most important diplomatic mission.

Donald Trump claims he will build a wall (AP)

Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu said the move was prompted by “the anti-Mexico atmosphere, which is largely due to lack of knowledge about our country”, the AFP reported.

Republican contender Donald Trump has branded Mexican immigrants drug smugglers and rapists during his campaign for the presidential nomination. On Tuesday, he claimed he would seize some of the billions of dollars sent back to Mexico in remittances to pay for his proposed wall.

“We had to implement a strategy focused on protecting our community but also on projecting Mexico's image,” Ms Ruiz said, without referring to Mr Trump by name.

Mr Sada has held several consular posts in the United States and Canada. He replaces Miguel Basanez who has been ambassador for just eight months.

Ted Cruz has also taken a hardline stance on immigration (Reuters)

Mexico's foreign ministry also announced the appointment of presidential country brand adviser and foreign media coordinator Jose Paulo Carreño King as undersecretary for North America.

The two appointments “are part of an integrated strategy that the Mexican government is implementing to strengthen relations, promotion and the image of our country in Canada and the United States,” the ministry said.

Mexican authorities will send Mr Sada’s name to Washington for approval, and he must still be confirmed by the US Senate.

The Los Angeles Times said Mr Basañez last summer said that Mexicans should not worry about a Trump candidacy. He said the real estate tycoon would apologise to Mexico for calling its people rapists and criminals, an apology Mr Trump has yet to offer.

The United States is Mexico’s biggest trade partner and home to more than 11 million Mexican-born people.