Mexico ratifies, swears in new ambassador to U.S.

Carlos Sada has been approved by the Mexican Senate as the country's next ambassador to Washington.

Sada takes up what is arguably Mexico's most important overseas diplomatic job, with the United States being the country's biggest trade partner and home to millions of Mexican nationals. Previously he was consul general in Los Angeles.

The appointment is part of an effort to counter what Mexico's government considers distorted portrayals of the country coming out of the U.S. presidential campaign.

Mexico intends to lobby U.S. officials and presidential candidates about its citizens' contributions to the U.S. economy and society and to combat anti-immigrant rhetoric.

The Foreign Relations Department posted photographs online of Sada and other diplomats being sworn in for their new assignments following Senate ratification Thursday.