To close almost 30 abroad, the government is thinking of making significant changes to its diplomatic presence, according to an internal document cited by CNN.
According to the document, it is proposed to close the embassies in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesoto, the Congo Republic, the Central African Republic and South Sudan. The list also includes five consulates in France, two in Germany, two in Bosnia and Herzegovina, one in the United Kingdom, one in South Africa and one in South Korea.
In the document there is also a recommendation to reduce the fingerprint on US diplomatic missions in Somalia and Iraq – two main countries in the US “struggle” against terrorism – but also to change the size of other prisoners. It has not yet been clarified whether Marco Rubio has signed the closure of the embassies and consulates. CNN turned to the State Department to comment on the document.
The proposed changes come in the midst of a widely expected reform of the US Diploma Service, with the government, motivated by the Ministry of Government Effectiveness (Doge) under Doge Musk, making dramatic changes, with the aim of shrinking it.
CNN said in March that the State Department was very close to closing some of the consulates mentioned in the internal document.
Why does this matter? Embassies and consulates serve as important guards for the State Department. They provide services such as visa processing and helping Severic citizens in need. They also collect information that interests Washington. According to officials, they are an important diplomatic tool, as the US is trying to cope with nations such as China. Most consulates do not have much workforce.
