Spain is preparing a refreshed leadership for its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with José Manuel Albares continuing to oversee policy as the minister in charge while a new top team takes the reins. Several current foreign ministers are stepping away from their roles, with three moving to oversee Spanish embassies abroad and a fourth transitioning to a different portfolio within the ministry.
Reports indicate that Ángeles Moreno Bau, who currently serves as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Global Affairs, will become Spain’s ambassador to the United States. This shift is noted by The Diplomat as part of a broader reorganization. In parallel, Juan Fernández Trigo, who has led Foreign Affairs with a focus on Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spaniards around the world, is slated to helm the Spanish Embassy in Portugal. Meanwhile, Pascual Navarro is identified by El Confidencial as taking charge of the EU mission in Berlin.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have not confirmed these appointments to this publication, stating that the decisions were forwarded to the Cabinet for next Tuesday’s consideration.
Among the changes already visible is a reassignment involving Pilar Cancela, the minister responsible for international cooperation, who has been serving as Secretary of State for Immigration. She will be replaced by Eva Maria Granados after Granados completes a period at the Parliament of Catalonia, where she was the spokesperson for the socialist group in the Senate.
New team for Gibraltar
A separate reshuffle affects the Spanish negotiating team on Gibraltar. Diplomat Javier Benosa, who previously led the Gibraltar Affairs Office, has been removed following the publication of an article that criticized the government’s contemplated amnesty for Catalan independence supporters. His replacement is Jorge Notivoli, who previously served as an advisor within the Presidency and headed the International team of the presidency’s staff.