Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jul 01, 2025

Spanish Foreign Minister Dismisses Ambassador for Sleeping During Speech

Alberto Antón, Spain's Ambassador to Belgium, removed from position after being filmed asleep during a conference in Madrid.
Alberto Antón, Spain's Ambassador to Belgium, has been dismissed by Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares following an incident where Antón was filmed sleeping during a speech at a conference in Madrid.

The event occurred during the XI Conference of Ambassadors on January 13, 2025, where Minister Albares delivered a one-hour address.

A video surfaced showing Antón asleep during the speech, leading to his removal from the ambassadorial position.

This dismissal is part of a series of recent changes within Spain's diplomatic corps.

Albares has been involved in several high-profile removals, including the Ambassador to Croatia, Juan González-Barba, and the head of the Gibraltar Office, Javier Benosa.

These actions have sparked discussions about the criteria and transparency of diplomatic appointments and dismissals.

The Spanish Foreign Minister has defended the government's discretion in appointing and removing ambassadors, emphasizing that such decisions are made based on the suitability of individuals for specific contexts.

Albares stated that these changes are not arbitrary and follow standard procedures.

The recent dismissals have raised concerns among diplomats about the potential for a 'climate of terror' within the diplomatic service, with reports suggesting that personal grievances may influence official decisions.

An unnamed diplomat expressed that personal vendettas are becoming a routine aspect of the ministry's operations.

In response to these developments, the Association of Spanish Diplomats has called for greater transparency in the appointment process, advocating for a system based on merit and clear criteria.

The association highlighted that the diplomatic career regulations have been outdated since 2017, suggesting a need for reform to ensure fairness and professionalism within the diplomatic corps.

These events underscore ongoing debates regarding the management and governance of Spain's diplomatic service, highlighting the balance between ministerial discretion and the need for transparency and accountability in diplomatic appointments and dismissals.
#ANT 
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
×