Spain Appoints New Ambassador to Argentina, Ending Diplomatic Spat Over PM’s Wife

MADRID – Spain appointed Joaquin Laborde as its new ambassador to Argentina on Tuesday, marking the end of a five-month diplomatic rift after Argentine President Javier Milei made derogatory remarks about Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Spain had withdrawn its ambassador in May following Milei’s comments at a rally organized by the far-right Spanish party Vox, where he called Gómez “corrupt.” Milei declined to apologize, leading Spain to take the rare diplomatic step as a show of “defending the dignity and sovereignty of Spanish institutions.”

In a joint statement released with Argentina’s foreign ministry, both countries expressed a commitment to “strengthen our relationship” and build a “maximum level of trust and mutual respect.” Spanish government spokesperson Pilar Alegría, speaking after a cabinet meeting that approved the appointment, declined to comment on whether an apology from Milei had been issued.

Gómez is currently under investigation in Madrid for alleged influence peddling related to a university master’s program she oversaw, though no charges have been filed, and Sánchez has dismissed the accusations as politically motivated. Despite the diplomatic tension, Argentina kept its ambassador in Madrid throughout the dispute.