(CNN) -- The United States is on the verge of losing a fierce advocate for democracy in Latin America. Mari Carmen Aponte, ambassador to El Salvador, was initially nominated by President Obama in late 2009. He made her a recess appointment in August 2010. She has hit the ground running in a Central American country that, thanks to her tireless work, has become a close partner and ally of the United States. It was the first Latin American country to send troops to Afghanistan. Aponte has been renominated, but if the Senate does not confirm her nomination next week, she will head home, leaving her impressive work unfinished and a gaping hole in our country's efforts to continue to build and sustain strong and transparent democracies south of the border.
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Maria Cardona: U.S. is on verge of losing a fierce advocate for democracy in Latin America
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Mari Carmen Aponte, ambassador to El Salvador, is up for Senate confirmation
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GOP senators oppose her confirmation for petty political reasons, Cardona says
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Cardona: Republicans should let Aponte finish her vital work in El Salvador
Aponte's advocacy for democratic values will be by far her most lasting legacy in @placeholder.