The decision of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, José Manuel Albares, responds to the refusal of the Argentine president, Javier Milei, to apologize for the insults directed at Begoña Gómez, wife of President Pedro Sánchez.
The decision of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, José Manuel Albares, to permanently withdraw the Spanish ambassador in Argentina, María Jesús Alonso, has generated diverse reactions in the Spanish political sphere. The measure responds to the refusal of the Argentine president, Javier Milei, to apologize for the insults directed at Begoña Gómez, wife of President Pedro Sánchez.
The spokesman for the Spanish left-wing coalition, Sumar, in Congress, Íñigo Errejón, has expressed his support for Albares' decision, calling Milei's statements "insults." However, Errejón has requested consistency in the application of this criterion and has suggested that Spain should take similar measures in the case of Israel, which has criticized members of the Executive, such as the Minister of Social Rights, Pablo Bustinduy.
On the other hand, the general secretary of the Popular Party (PP), Cuca Gamarra, has expressed her concern about the repercussions of this decision on commercial and diplomatic relations with Argentina. During an intervention in Córdoba, together with the general secretary of the PP of Andalusia, Antonio Repullo, and the provincial president, Adolfo Molina, Gamarra emphasized the importance of considering the hundreds of kilometers of Spaniards residing in Argentina and the possible economic impacts.
Likewise, Gamarra criticized the management of Pedro Sánchez's Government, accusing it of turning personal problems into state issues to divert attention from internal problems.
"We are back to the same thing," said Gamarra, stressing that foreign relations must go beyond the personal conflicts of politicians. He called for focusing on the true needs of Spanish families and on structural problems such as water and the situation of farmers and ranchers.
The general secretary of the PP also pointed out that both the attitude of the Argentine president and that of the Spanish Government have been inadequate.
"The PP has already been very clear in all this: we neither liked Milei's attitude, nor did we like the attitude of Pedro Sánchez's own Government attacking the president of another country," said Gamarra.
Albares, for his part, justified the ambassador's withdrawal by highlighting Milei's persistence in his offensive posture.
"The ambassador will definitely stay in Madrid," said the minister, indicating that the Embassy in Buenos Aires will now be in charge of a chargé d'affaires.
Albares also compared the willingness of the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, to apologize for his comments with the attitude of Milei, who has maintained his offensive statements. The minister warned that the Spanish Government could consider additional measures if the situation does not improve.
Finally, the Government spokesperson, Pilar Alegría, defended that the attacks on Begoña Gómez are a reflection of a sexist attitude and stressed the importance of feminism in politics and international relations.
