| Diego Asencio | |
| Order: | 17th |
| Office: | United States Ambassador to Colombia |
| Term Start: | December 6, 1977 |
| Term End: | June 22, 1980 |
| Predecessor: | Phillip V. Sanchez |
| Successor: | Thomas D. Boyatt |
| President: | Jimmy Carter |
| Office2: | United States Ambassador to Brazil |
| Order2: | 21st |
| Term Start2: | December 20, 1983 |
| Term End2: | February 28, 1986 |
| Predecessor2: | Langhorne A. Motley |
| Successor2: | Harry W. Shlaudeman |
| President2: | Ronald Reagan |
| Birth Date: | 15 July 1931 |
| Death Place: | Palm Beach, Florida |
| Profession: | Diplomat |
| Office3: | 8th Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs |
| Term Start3: | August 29, 1980 |
| Term End3: | November 21, 1983 |
| Preceded3: | Barbara M. Watson |
| Succeeded3: | Joan M. Clark |
Diego Cortes Asencio (July 15, 1931 – October 6, 2020)[1] was an American diplomat who served as United States Ambassador to Colombia (1977–1980) and United States Ambassador to Brazil (1983–86).[2] He was a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy and Council on Foreign Relations.[3]
In 1980 Asencio was – along with a dozen other diplomats – held hostage for 61 days when members of the guerrilla group 19th of April Movement (M-19), led by Rosemberg Pabón, seized the Dominican Republic's embassy in Bogotá.[4]
Article, Washington Post, Dateline Bogota, Colombia, February 28, 1980, by Charles A Krause, "Envoy Takes Charge" U.S. Ambassador Wins Respect From All With Candor, Wit and Confident Manner