Overview
- Benjamín León Jr. presented his letters of credence to King Felipe VI on Feb. 18 in Madrid, officially assuming the ambassadorship.
- Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares met León ahead of the ceremony and also attended the palace event, gestures described as uncommon in Spanish protocol.
- Spain’s Foreign Ministry said both countries consider their bilateral relationship solid and plan to deepen cooperation across political, security, economic, cultural and scientific areas.
- The post had been vacant since July 2024; León was nominated in January 2025, confirmed late last year, and arrived in Madrid two days before presenting credentials.
- Spanish outlets report León is expected to push Washington’s demand for a sharp increase in Spanish defense spending, a continuing source of friction with the Trump administration.