In a farewell meeting with the American Consul in Ponta Delgada, the head of the regional government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) disclosed that Margaret C. Campbell had communicated to the U.S. administration the significance of the consulate in Ponta Delgada.
“At a time when there was a risk of its permanence, I want to acknowledge Consul Margaret C. Campbell for her dedication in clearly and objectively conveying to the American administration the importance of the consulate here in the Azores, thus sending a relevant message for its continuation,” stated José Manuel Bolieiro to the press at the Presidential headquarters in Ponta Delgada.
In March, it was reported that the U.S. Department of State—equivalent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—had included the Ponta Delgada consulate in a list of 12 diplomatic representations slated for closure during the summer.
Today, Bolieiro emphasized that Campbell’s work in the region was “very significant” and noted that the Regional Government has information indicating a new consul has already been appointed, who will assume the role from August at the diplomatic representation.
“I don’t know with absolute certainty what will happen in the future, nor what the positions of the American administration will be, but as of today, Consul Margaret Campbell’s persuasive ability and justification for the importance of maintaining the U.S. consulate in the Azores have been clearly demonstrated,” reinforced the regional leader.
The diplomat, in a brief statement without taking questions, expressed “some melancholy” over her “last public appearance before leaving the Azores.”
“My goal was to maintain the excellent relationship between my country and Portugal, especially with the Azores, which has its strategic value in the Atlantic. I feel and hope that the Azoreans agree that I managed to bring people together to not only continue but strengthen this relationship,” she declared in a message in Portuguese.
Margaret C. Campbell, who began her duties on July 1, 2022, said she experienced the “charm” of each of the nine islands, leaving the archipelago with her “heart full of memories.”
“It was an honor to serve my country in the oldest continuously operating [American] consulate in the world,” she noted.
On March 7, following news of the potential closure of the U.S. consulate in Ponta Delgada, the consul stated that the American government “continued to assess” its “global posture” to address “modern challenges.”
In response, the Portuguese government denied that the American administration, led by Donald Trump, had decided to close the Ponta Delgada consulate, labeling the reports of such a measure in the summer as speculation.
The Times’ report suggested the closure of consulates aligned with the drastic public administration cuts proposed by billionaire Elon Musk, who has since stepped down from leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
