Spain has expelled two American embassy employees who were suspected of spying and bribing agents within the Center for National Intelligence to access classified information. The report comes from El País, which has closely followed the developments and provided details about the incident.
According to the article, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles summoned the United States Ambassador, Julissa Reynoso, to demand a formal explanation regarding the conduct of personnel connected to the diplomatic mission. The Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, also reached out to the U.S. ambassador to convey concerns over the actions described and to seek assurances that proper protocols would be observed in the future.
El País further notes that at least two American staffers have departed Spain in connection with the case, while two Spanish intelligence officials are under investigation for allegedly leaking confidential information. This sequence of events points to a broader probe into how sensitive material may have been accessed and handled within international channels. The reporting indicates that internal reviews identified unauthorized access to classified systems and data, raising questions about oversight and security measures within both countries’ respective agencies. A mid-level officer was reportedly recruited by the American side to provide intelligence in exchange for a substantial payment, according to the newspaper’s sources.
The publication cites statements from the U.S. Ambassador, who reportedly indicated he was not aware of the operational details involved. The ambassador suggested that the actions by the agents were part of a program that existed prior to the Biden administration, highlighting a legacy framework rather than an isolated, immediate operation. The unfolding narrative thus reveals long-standing arrangements that predate recent leadership changes, as described by El País (El País).
In related regional security news, there have been other high-profile claims of espionage activity that have drawn international attention. Notably, Britain recently accused China of recruiting officers for espionage, illustrating a broader climate of covert intelligence work across Western allies. These developments underscore ongoing tensions between nations over intelligence gathering, counterintelligence safeguards, and the integrity of diplomatic channels (El País).