Luis Ayllón
The United States ambassador to Spain, Julissa Reynoso, announced that she will leave office this summer to collaborate with the North American president, Joe Biden, in his candidacy for reelection to the White House.
Reynoso made the announcement in the speech she gave on Friday during the reception offered at the Plaza de Toros de las Ventas on the occasion of the 248th anniversary of the independence of the United States, a holiday celebrated on July 4.
The ambassador, who arrived in Madrid two and a half years ago, indicated that this summer she will end her stay at the head of the diplomatic representation to return to her work as a lawyer in New York and continue collaborating with President Biden, with whom she maintains close ties. close personal ties.
When Reinoso leaves, the Minister Counselor, Rian Harris, will remain as Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy until, once the presidential elections are held, the candidate who is elected nominates a new ambassador. Experience usually shows that this process, which has to go through the United States Congress, is not very quick, meaning that Harris is expected to spend at least a year as chargé d’affaires.
Julissa Reynoso said that having been the United States ambassador in Madrid has been the honor of her life and that she left with a “bittersweet” feeling, although comforted by the work and achievements achieved.
The ambassador affirmed that Spaniards and Americans are united by the values of justice and equality and she highlighted the work carried out by both countries to “promote and protect” democracy and prosperity and foster mutual understanding.
Julissa Reynoso highlighted the high level of contacts and bilateral visits, including Biden’s visit to Madrid on the occasion of the NATO summit in June 2022, and recalled that the US president described Spain as a “friend” and “indispensable partner.” and friend”. In that sense, she considered relevant the agreement that will allow the United States to send two more destroyers to the Rota Naval Base, bringing the total number of ships to six.
The ambassador was accompanied during the celebration by the Secretary of the United States Navy, Carlos del Toro, who made a visit to Spain those days, and who announced in his speech that a new American frigate of the Constellation class will be baptized with the name of the Spanish military man and politician Bernardo de Gálvez (1746-1786), whose work as governor of Louisiana was fundamental for the United States to achieve its independence.
The Chief of Staff of the Spanish Navy, Antonio Piñero, thanked the “outstanding recognition” of giving the name Gálvez to the frigate, which will be the USS Gálvez (FFG-67) and which will have as godmothers the American ambassador and the ambassador of Spain in Washington, Ángeles Moreno Bau.
Present at the Independence Day celebration, which was entertained by the flamenco singer José Mercé, were the Ministers of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska; and Agriculture, Luis Planas, together with the president of the Council of State, Carmen Calvo; the director of the National Intelligence Center, Esperanza Casteleiro; officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, politicians from different parties, businessmen, journalists, and a large number of ambassadors accredited to Spain.
