The interaction between the Government and the accredited ambassadors in Spain falls under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is not even the head of diplomacy, José Manuel Albares, who maintains contact, but rather the introducer of ambassadors or the directors general of different areas. This highlights the exceptional nature of what happened yesterday.
Half an hour past eleven in the morning, Pedro Sánchez welcomed Benjamín León, the United States ambassador to Spain, at the La Moncloa complex. An exceptional meeting that underscores the importance the Government places on maintaining an open line of communication with the Donald Trump administration, despite both leaders being at opposite ends politically. Since becoming President of the Government, according to information on the La Moncloa website, this is the second ambassador received by Sánchez, having only met with the representative of Ukraine in Spain in 2022.
Benjamín León arrived in Spain on February 15. The Government made an effort to show preferential treatment to this businessman turned diplomat, and the day after his arrival, he was already at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presenting his credentials and meeting with Albares. This was the first 'favorable treatment', as ambassadors usually present their credentials but are not accustomed to being received by the head of diplomacy. Two days later, León donned formal attire and presented his credentials to Felipe VI in a solemn ceremony at the Royal Palace. This requirement is essential to have all the powers to carry out diplomatic duties in Spain, and some ambassadors wait several weeks to complete it, as the reception is held at most once a month and attended by mission chiefs strictly in order of arrival.
Upon arrival, Benjamín León stated that his priority in Spain would be to persuade the Government to increase defense spending, a major point of contention between the administrations. Defense has been the focus of his agenda. He met with Margarita Robles two weeks after arriving in Spain and just four days after the United States attacked Iran, a moment that caused new tensions due to Spain's refusal to allow the use of bases with combat aircraft towards the Middle East.
On March 19, despite political tension, León traveled to the Rota naval base, where he visited the U.S. troops deployed there and thanked them for "their commitment and service." Weeks later, the agreement between the two Defense ministries was renewed to continue operating the base. Additionally, on March 30, he attended the inauguration of the exhibition "Spain in the U.S. The contribution of Spaniards and their army to the birth of a nation" at the Army Museum in the Alcázar de Toledo, where he was hosted by the Chief of the Army Staff - General Enseñat. The Ministry of Defense is particularly involved in the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the country's independence.
Although Sánchez does not usually meet with ambassadors, the Cuban-American naturalized citizen publicly expressed regret a few weeks ago that this meeting had not taken place. Thus, at a breakfast organized by Nueva Economía Forum on May 27, Benjamín León stated: "If the President of Spain has not received me, I do not believe he is inviting President Trump." Three weeks later, yesterday's seemingly long-awaited meeting with the American leader took place. Not much information about this meeting was disclosed, just a five-line statement from Moncloa stating that they had "discussed the bilateral relationship and the main international challenges." Sánchez reiterated "his willingness to continue working to strengthen transatlantic ties and deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest."
The Government's efforts towards León are not reciprocated in the same way by the Trump administration towards the Spanish ambassador, Ángeles Moreno Bau. The diplomat has never been received by Donald Trump. She had a meeting with senior official Brent Christensen in February 2025 when he served as the Deputy Secretary of State. A low-profile compared to Benjamín León's presence in Spain.