A significant faction of Spain's diplomatic corps has leveled serious accusations against José Manuel Albares, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Association of Spanish Diplomats (ADE), which represents between 60% and 70% of the country's more than 1,000 career diplomats, claims that Albares is undermining their functions and obstructing their professional responsibilities.

This criticism comes at a time described by the association as marked by 'enormous geostrategic challenges' for Spain.

The accusations were articulated in a letter sent to the Ministry on April 21. As of now, two weeks after its dispatch, Minister Albares has not responded to the correspondence.

The letter was composed in a carefully diplomatic language, with its authors acknowledging that while the language may be measured, the underlying criticism is both 'clear and emphatic.' ADE representatives indicated that the text highlights a disconnect between what is expected of diplomats and what is currently occurring.

Among the main demands made by the ADE is the urgent need for a robust public diplomacy strategy akin to those adopted by neighboring countries, which would enhance Spain's image, better inform the Spanish public, and improve the defense of national interests abroad.

They argue that current functions are either restricted or directly blocked by opaque, centralized decisions made by the present ministerial team.

The letter emphasizes the necessity for Ministry experts—area directors, ambassadors, and other officials—to have open communication with the press regarding key issues, including Gibraltar, Morocco, Algeria, Ukraine, the European Union, and Ibero-America.

There is a call for embassies and their leaders to regain public visibility, particularly in Latin America, where Spain’s diplomatic profile has historically been significant.

The ADE further proposes the establishment of an official spokesperson for the Ministry, a role common in other countries and international organizations, such as the European External Action Service, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

This position would help facilitate professional and structured institutional communication, which they claim is currently overly centralized around the minister.

A notable point of contention is the alleged media censorship affecting the diplomatic corps, particularly during special operations.

The association cites examples such as the evacuation of Afghanistan and various responses to natural disasters and conflicts, where officials from other government departments, such as the armed forces or police, have received significant media attention while diplomats have been restricted from participating in reports or interviews.

They describe these as 'missed opportunities' to illustrate their role and public utility.

The letter asserts that diplomats are specialists in foreign policy with the experience and capability to engage publicly, and their role should not be undermined in society.

They also request more informative sessions with the press prior to official trips or state visits.

Additionally, they raise concerns regarding censorship in the Ministry's current internal press summary, which reportedly excludes critical articles, impairing an objective assessment of public discourse.

This internal discontent arises at a particularly sensitive time for Minister Albares, who presented the new Government’s Foreign Action Strategy to Congress and the Senate this Monday.

In both chambers, Albares faced widespread criticism, not only from opposition parties but also from parliamentary partners and within his own coalition government.

The strongest criticisms have arisen concerning the government's support for Morocco in the Western Sahara conflict and its commitment to increased defense spending.