Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, José Manuel Albares has not stopped repeating that it is the time of diplomacy. The geopolitical board has hit many turns since then: the confrontation was added to war in Europe … Between israel and Hamas in Gaza,with which the world reached the highest peak of conflicts since World War II. At the 56 wars that remain active, we must add political polarization, the struggles between the US and China for dominating the world and efforts of Europe for not being left behind.All this puts multilateralism. In this context, the words of Albares resonate in the halls of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs such as Echoes of statements Empties of the minister, who says from doors out what does not happen within the Ministry.

It is true – of course – that now more than ever is the time of diplomacy. ThatS why The members of the race They are in Madrid move daily through the corridors of the Ministry with a mood that travels between tranquility, resignation and penalty.

They regret on the one hand that the Palace of the Marqués de Salamanca will become a short time in a tourist claim for the times it has come out in these pages at the expense of the “cacicadas” of Albares. They ironize with a certain humor – “to survive” – with this possibility, which may seem to them to credible, as it would not move away from the amount of “nonsense” they have witnessed as the minister took possession in July 2021.

Outdoors it is challenging to find a diplomat who speaks well of him. Nor to those known as “children soldier of Albares” are praise to the minister because the majority, once promoted with positions of responsibility inside and outside the ministry, meet “daily strokes.”

“We are in the Mariana pit,” a victim of the minister’s humiliations tells ABC. For him, the foreign policy that is dictated from the Ministry “is reactive” and the positions that have been decided in recent times have been “erratic and have been taken according to the political news of the moment”, according to what was convenient for in the La Moncloa Palace.So, locate the situation in Marqués de Salamanca in the deepest seabed on Earth. And, irrespective of arbitrary decisions of albares with their cessation policies and appointments of ambassadors, “the truly serious,” according to another source consulted, is that Spanish diplomacy has been going through its most crucial moment for decades and diplomats are not intervening at all.

The Inner Circle of José Manuel Albares: Key Figures Shaping spanish Foreign Policy

A growing discontent brews within the Spanish diplomatic corps regarding Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares’ reliance on a close-knit circle of political allies. This reliance, according to sources, has created an atmosphere of discomfort and sidelined experienced diplomats.Here’s a look at the key individuals influencing Albares’ decisions:

Diego Martínez Belío: As Secretary of State for Foreign and Global Affairs, Martínez Belío is central to the appointments made by Albares, effectively acting as a gatekeeper for personnel decisions.

Antonio Asencio: A PSOE affiliate, Asencio focuses on shaping media narratives surrounding the government’s foreign policy initiatives, working to ensure the desired message reaches the public.

Anton Leis: Another PSOE member, Leis was appointed by albares as the director of AECID (Spanish Agency for International development Cooperation) in August 2021, demonstrating a pattern of prioritizing party loyalty.

César Mogo: A PSOE Senator and personal friend of Albares, Mogo plays a crucial role in suggesting advisors to the minister, further solidifying the influence of political connections.

this preference for individuals with strong party ties over seasoned diplomats has reportedly lead to frustration within the Foreign Ministry. One diplomat stated, “He doesn’t love us at all and spends the day angry with us and we don’t know why. his main clique is people from the party.” This sentiment highlights a growing divide between the political leadership and the professional diplomatic service, raising questions about the future direction of Spanish foreign policy.

Albares and Sánchez: Tensions Within Spanish Diplomacy

Events unfolding in Viana mirror broader dynamics within the PSOE. The opinions of PSC trade unionist Eva Granados,currently Secretary of State for International Cooperation and President of the AECID,are often overlooked. Minister Antón Leis consistently holds greater influence.

Susana Sumelzo, PSOE politician and Secretary of State for Latin America and the Caribbean and Spaniards Abroad, also faces similar challenges as she prepares for an upcoming summit.

The relationship between PSOE ambassadors and Foreign Minister Albares is “manifestly critical.” Ximo Puig, now ambassador to the OECD, experienced a personal clash with Albares over media interventions made without prior consultation. Miquel Iceta, Ambassador to UNESCO, reportedly refers to Albares as ‘Napoleonchu’.

Héctor Gómez (Ambassador to the UN) and Carmen Montón (Ambassador to the OAS) directly engage with the presidency of the Government on relevant issues.

Within the ministry, Albares relies on a close-knit team. They are consistently by his side – at parliamentary commissions, Senate appearances, and international trips accompanying the King and Queen, including the UN General Assembly in New York.

New York Photo

A recent photograph taken in Manhattan, published by Albares on Instagram upon his return to Madrid, illustrates this dynamic. It features Albares and his team alongside the diplomats from Spain’s permanent portrayal to the United Nations in New York.This image reinforces reporting from recent years: Albares primarily executes foreign policy dictated by Pedro Sánchez, with authority limited to appointments and matters concerning the spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID).