Brian A. Nichols

Brian Andrew Nichols is an American diplomat who served as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs until his retirement in January 2025. He previously served as the United States Ambassador to Peru from 2014 until 2017, as well as the U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe from 2018 until 2021.

Ambassadorships

During his time at the State Department, Nichols had served as ambassadors to several countries.

Nichols served as the United States Ambassador to Peru from 2014 until 2017, when he was succeeded by Krishna Urs.

In June 2018, he was nominated to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe by President Donald Trump. On June 28, 2018, his nomination was confirmed in the Senate by voice vote. On July 19, 2018, Nichols presented his credentials to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
During the George Floyd protests in the United States, Nichols was summoned by the government of Zimbabwe after U.S. Secretary Advisor Robert C. O'Brien labeled Zimbabwe as a "foreign adversary" that was fomenting the protests and threatened with retaliatory action.
In late July 2020, he was threatened with expulsion from the country and called a "thug" by the ruling party after accusations that he was helping organizers of an anti-government march against President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

On March 26, 2021, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Nichols to serve as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. On September 13, 2021, his nomination was confirmed in the Senate by voice vote.
On 28 February 2023, Nichols urged Peru’s Congress to expedite early elections and Peru’s president to promptly end the country's political crisis, leading to criticism in Peru and from Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Nichols retired from the Foreign Service on December 31, 2024, after 36 years of service.

Nichols and his wife, Geraldine Kam, have two daughters. He speaks Spanish.