Ricardo Zúñiga is the former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

[2][3] The Special Envoy engages with regional governments, including but not limited to Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, on a range of issues in order to seek to improve conditions in Central America.

He also held regional governments accountable for their commitments to address root causes of migration and the increase in arrivals of unaccompanied children at the U.S. southern border.

He succeeded Julie Chung as acting Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs until President Biden's nominee, Brian A. Nichols, was confirmed in the Senate.

[4] From 2012 to 2015, he served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the National Security Council.