New US Ambassador to Morocco Appointed by Trump
The United States has appointed Richard Duke Buchan III, commonly known as Duke Buchan, as its new ambassador to Morocco. President Donald Trump announced the appointment, emphasizing Buchan’s pivotal role in fostering peace, freedom, and prosperity between the two nations.
A Diplomat with a Wealth of Experience
Born in 1963, Buchan holds a BA in economics and Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His academic background, combined with his professional and philanthropic endeavors, equips him with the tools to navigate the complexities of international diplomacy and foster meaningful collaboration between the US and Morocco.
Duke Buchan is no stranger to diplomatic service. From 2017 to 2021, he served as the US Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, where he leveraged his financial expertise, language skills, and deep cultural appreciation to enhance bilateral relations.
Before his diplomatic career, Buchan built a reputation as a successful entrepreneur and investor. In 2001, he founded Hunter Global Investors L.P., a New York-based firm specializing in global markets, including real estate, venture capital, private equity, and public securities. Under his leadership, the firm’s flagship fund achieved cumulative returns approximately 2.3 times the S&P 500 Index.
A Commitment to Education and Philanthropy
Beyond his professional achievements, his family established The Buchan Excellence Fund, the largest single endowment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, dedicated to promoting Spanish language, literature, and culture. The fund supports initiatives like the 21st Century Pen Pals program, which connects American and Spanish schoolchildren through video exchanges. Buchan also served as Vice Chair of the University of North Carolina’s Arts and Sciences Foundation Board of Directors.
A 10th-generation North Carolinian, Buchan grew up on his family’s tobacco and cattle farms. Today, he and his family continue to manage farms that grow over 100 varieties of heirloom tomatoes and vegetables, raise horses, and donate fresh produce to local charities.
Buchan’s appointment comes at a time when the US and Morocco are seeking to deepen their partnership across various sectors, including trade, security, and cultural exchange.
