How they see us from the United States

Carlos Diaz Rosillo, director of the Adam Smith Centre for Economic Freedom at Florida International University (FIU), has succeeded in consolidating Miami as the nerve centre of international cooperation and the advancement of economic freedom.

In a conversation with this correspondent in the United States, he describes the fragility of the Spanish government and its institutions, as well as the need for a more forceful opposition to the executive branch in its proposals.

He reaffirms the idea that NATO members must meet and possibly increase their spending commitments. On Venezuela, he rules out imminent US military intervention and advocates for change driven by the middle ranks of the Venezuelan Armed Forces, while criticising the role of former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero in the Caribbean country.

What can you tell me about the appointment of the US ambassador to Spain, who has not yet arrived at the US diplomatic headquarters in Madrid?

President Donald Trump appointed Benjamin León as ambassador to Spain. The Senate vote did not take place due to the month-and-a-half-long government shutdown.

Approval is almost certain, and once the vote is held, León will be the official ambassador to the Spanish government in a few weeks. 

The process is relatively quick, and I am confident that it will be resolved soon.

Tell me about the impact of the federal government shutdown on diplomatic processes.

The US government shutdown paralysed procedures such as the vote to confirm Ambassador León. As has been said, the administrative interruption slows down decisions that are critical to diplomatic relations, affecting accreditations and the arrival times of the representative in Spain. But this problem has already been resolved.

How do you view the current situation in Spain? What image are we projecting abroad?

Many journalists and media figures prioritise shouting and discrediting their interlocutors, rather than engaging in dialogue and asking substantive questions, which hinders the genuine exchange of ideas and listening to the other side. The news programmes in Spain open their reports by directly attacking my president, without countering sources.

Could you be more explicit, if you would be so kind, in your assessment of the political situation in Spain and the coalition government?

I detect a certain fragility in the Spanish government and a lack of ideological coherence. It suffers from possible institutional instability.

The executive depends on a coalition of parties, which could fall apart at any moment. The elements that make it up are “absurd” and lack intellectual coherence, united by false promises and concessions from the executive.

Let's return to defence spending and NATO commitments, as well as fairness in contributions and increasing the GDP spending threshold in this area.

No one doubts the importance of NATO for the security of the United States and Europe. Trump is demanding that allies meet the agreed 2% of GDP target; there is even talk of raising the target to a possible 5%, considering it necessary. Increased defence spending by several countries has facilitated support for Ukraine, and Spain must be firm in this regard.

I understand that the United States should not bear the brunt of the budget

I consider it unfair that the United States finances most of NATO's budget. European countries, including Spain, must comply with commitments made unanimously years ago, questioning the current degree of compliance.

Let's talk about Venezuela and the feeling of imminent military intervention. What are the prospects for change and the role of the international community?

While one can never rule out a US extraction or invasion similar to that in Panama several decades ago, I believe the probability of such action is very low.

Change in Venezuela must come from within. The people and the international community have already spoken out without results, emphasising the internal route. Trump is not governed by interference, by ‘meddling’ in the change of the Venezuelan government. The longevity of the Cartel of the Suns, which is above the institutions, affects US security and that of the rest of the world.

Is international pressure without direct military intervention feasible, as you suggest? Venezuelan airspace has just been closed.

The United States' pressure tactics seek to increase the rewards for Maduro, interdict vessels linked to drug trafficking in international waters, and send messages of support to its armed forces if they act. According to statements by President Trump, there is no interest in repeating interventions, as on previous occasions in Latin America, to change the ruling governments in other countries.

There is severe criticism of the support for Nicolás Maduro, referring to the role played by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero with regard to Venezuela.

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has become the Venezuelan president's ‘foreign minister’ in the international arena, which I consider shameful for a former president of Spain.

It is indefensible for a democracy as solid as Spain's to support a dictatorship that stole the elections and seeks to perpetuate itself in power in an undemocratic manner.

There is great uncertainty about possible negotiations and the desire for a peaceful transition in Venezuela. Could you clarify this issue?

It is not known whether there is any agreement between governments; only internal authorities could confirm this. We want a solution and a peaceful democratic transition, although this seems unlikely in the short term. The US military deployment is part of the effort to eradicate drug trafficking in Caribbean waters, which, as I said, affects the security of my country.

Carmen Chamorro, director of CIP and ACPE and graduate in International Relations and Global Terrorism from SEI