Colombia Consular Corps Association of Philadelphia

Maria del Pilar Cruz Silva was appointed Consul General, with the category of Ministro Plenipotenciario, for the Consulate General of Colombia in Newark, New Jersey in January, 2023, with consular responsibilities for the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Consul General Cruz was born in Bogota and, following her early education in Colombia, she received advanced degrees in finance, government and international relations from universities in Belgium, Chile and Ecuador. She is also a certified Ontological Coach, with specialized training in the social sciences, including programs related to women’s empowerment, personal development and domestic violence.

Consul General Cruz entered Colombia’s foreign service in 2003 and her diplomatic career has included a range of positions in the Ministry of Foreign Relations and overseas postings in Chile and Peru prior to her current assignment in the U.S. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated particular interest and effectiveness in providing human services to address social issues related to the migrant population and family dysfunction.

Maria del Pilar Cruz is married and has one child.