The US State Department has issued a bold directive to all US embassies and consulates, instructing them to refrain from criticizing foreign elections unless there’s a clear US foreign policy interest at stake. The guidance, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and released on Thursday, aligns with President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, emphasizing respect for the sovereignty of other nations.

According to the cable, US diplomatic posts should avoid statements on the fairness or legitimacy of foreign elections, focusing instead on brief messages congratulating winners and highlighting shared foreign policy goals. This marks a significant shift from decades of US practice, where embassies often publicly questioned electoral integrity in authoritarian regimes, frequently amplifying findings from groups like the Carter Centre or the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

The directive, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, mandates that any commentary on electoral irregularities or support for external monitoring groups requires approval from senior Washington officials. The move underscores the administration’s focus on prioritizing US interests and avoiding ideological stances in global diplomacy, potentially reshaping how the US engages with international democratic processes.

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