Mexico Senate ratifies academic as next ambassador to U.S.

Mexican lawmakers have confirmed a U.S.-based Mexican academic as the country's next ambassador to the United States.

The 98-3 vote in the Senate means Miguel Basáñez becomes Mexico's top envoy to its northern neighbor and main trade partner.

Arguably Mexico's most important diplomatic post, the office of ambassador to Washington had been vacant for five months before President Enrique Peña Nieto nominated Basáñez in mid-August.

Basáñez is an expert on opinion polling and adjunct professor at Tufts University's Fletcher School. He was sworn in Wednesday at the Senate.

About 11.4 million Mexican-born people live in the United States while some 1 million American citizens reside in Mexico, according to the Foreign Relations Department.