The Spanish government has decided to permanently recall its ambassador in Argentina, María Jesús Alonso Jiménez, in response to insults made by the Argentinian president, Javier Milei, towards Pedro Sánchez and his government. This decision means that Jiménez will not return to her position in Buenos Aires unless the Ministry of Foreign Affairs appoints her again. The Council of Ministers will need to appoint a new ambassador and seek approval from the Argentine authorities. The Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, stated that Milei’s remarks on a TV interview were in response to a complaint made by the Spanish government to the Argentine ambassador in Madrid, requesting public apologies from the Argentine head of state.
Following the decision to recall the ambassador, President Milei responded with further insults towards Pedro Sánchez, calling him an arrogant socialist. However, the Spanish government has emphasized that there is no intent to break diplomatic ties with Argentina, as the relationship between the two countries is strong. Spain is the second largest foreign investor in Argentina, and the Spanish community in the country is the largest in the world. The Embassy in Buenos Aires will continue to operate under the charge of the Deputy Head of Mission, as the situation unfolds and relations are maintained.
The recall of an ambassador is a rare step taken by Spain, with previous instances including the withdrawal of the Spanish ambassador to Caracas in 2016 and the downgrade of the representative in Venezuela to Chargé d’Affaires in 2020. Despite wanting to maintain good relations with Argentina, the Spanish Foreign Minister has condemned Milei’s behavior, calling it a unique case in the absence of precedents in international relations. Milei’s actions during his visit to Madrid, where he insulted Spanish institutions, have been seen as a breach of diplomatic norms and principles. The Spanish government supported Milei’s visit by facilitating its logistics, only to be met with insults and aggression.
The Spanish government has not ruled out further diplomatic steps in response to Milei’s actions and statements. While Milei plans to return to Spain to collect an award on June 21, the government will monitor the situation closely to determine the appropriate course of action. Despite Milei’s connections within the European Union, including support from leaders in Italy and Hungary, the Spanish government has chosen not to seek solidarity from the EU. Potential measures could include suspending the Treaty of Cooperation and Friendship between Spain and Argentina, signed in 1988, which provided for annual high-level political consultations. The duration of the crisis is uncertain, but both the Spanish Prime Minister and the Argentine President will attend international summits in November.
As the situation evolves, the Spanish government may consider further measures to address the ongoing crisis with Argentina. Despite the strong ties between the two countries, the conduct of President Milei has strained relations and prompted a significant diplomatic response from Spain. The decision to permanently recall the ambassador marks a significant development in the diplomatic dispute between the two nations, with potential implications for future interactions and cooperation. It remains to be seen how the crisis will unfold and what steps will be taken to address the fallout from Milei’s controversial statements.
