Luis Ayllón
The U.S. Ambassador in Madrid, Richard Duke Buchan III, who is leaving his post after the inauguration of the new American president, Joe Biden, will continue to live in Spain, according to his own words in a farewell video uploaded to his Twitter account.
Buchan, who arrived in Spain some three and a half years ago, after having been one of the main economic backers of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, is leaving the US ambassador’s residence this Wednesday. At the head of the Embassy, Minister Counselor Conrad Tribble will remain as Charge d’Affaires until the appointment of a new ambassador.
The until now ambassador stresses that, despite his departure, his connection with this country does not end, with which, he assures, he has “a romance of more than forty years”, which began with his time at the Universities of Valencia and Seville.
For that reason, in the video, Duke Buchan affirms: “Every time I feel less ‘guiri’ (foreigner) in Spain”, a country in which he affirms that they are enchanted, as much he as his family, to which – he reveals – they have added new members, in reference to two Spanish dogs: “Luna”, of Malaga and “lola”, of Avila. “My family and I”, he says, “have put down roots in this great country. You have embraced us and shared your passion for the people, life, culture and friendship between our peoples”.
Buchan announces that he has bought a house here and that they are going to continue living in Spain. It seems that the ambassador, who already has an apartment in Madrid, has bought a house on the coast of Cadiz, a province whose “delicious climate” is highlighted in the video.
Duke Buchan has several residences in the United States, one of which is in Florida, so he could alternate periods of stay in the two countries, continuing with his investment activities, some of which are done through companies that are active in Spain, and always with the approval of the State Department.
But, in addition, he will maintain his philanthropic initiatives. Among these, there is a foundation for the development of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs for girls from disadvantaged economic backgrounds, in which his wife, Hannah, and his children collaborate. According to him, “they have taught robotics to children from La Línea de la Concepción and Fuenlabrada to share their love of technology.
In the video, the ambassador, who also addresses the citizens of Andorra, since he also represented the United States in the Principality, describes Spaniards and Andorrans as “incredible friends and allies” and reviews some of his trips to different areas of Spain, assuring that he has known the beauty, the ingenuity, the diversity and the warmth of the Spanish people, “the friendliest in the world.
A great lover of Spanish gastronomy and customs, Buchan does not fail to praise the barnacles of Northern Spain, the flamenco of Andalusia, the beauty of Barcelona, the international character of Madrid or the cultural diversity of Ceuta and Melilla.
He also refers to the exchanges between the two countries in different fields such as the student, security and defense and economic fields. In the latter, he highlights the signing of the Convention to avoid double taxation and prevent tax evasion, which, he says, “frees up billions to be invested in new jobs.
He ends his farewell message by stating “I hang up my ambassador’s jacket and put on the American sweater that I admire and enjoy my beloved Spain and Andorra”.
Duke Buchan, who was also one of the main promoters of the collection of funds for the re-election of Donald Trump, issued on January 7, a message condemning the assault on the Capitol and, in the last of his interviews as ambassador to the Foundation Council Spain-U.S., reiterated its position.
In these last statements, Buchan reveals his concern about what happened and states: “Violence has no place in our political process. Those who participated in these criminal acts at the heart of our government must be brought to justice, and those who instigated them must be held accountable.
Expressing support for those who worked to conduct and certify the elections and ensure a peaceful transition, he adds: “It was an important and reassuring moment when Congress returned that same night to continue certifying the results of the election, in which the American people elected Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris to represent them in the highest offices of the land. And he extends his best wishes to Biden and the new Administration.
