International

Spain will recognize Palestine as a State in a few weeks even if other countries do not follow it

The Spanish Government will decide in the coming weeks the recognition of Palestine as a State regardless of whether or not other countries may or may not join that decision.

This is assured by sources of the Executive after the series of meetings that the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, is holding with other European leaders to analyze the situation in the Middle East, explain their position and try to coordinate actions in that direction.

But whether other countries join Spain’s thesis of already recognizing the Palestinian State or if they do not, the Government has already adopted a political decision and will make that recognition, as Sánchez said, before the end of this semester.

What’s more, the cited sources emphasize that the decision, which recalls that it is endorsed by a proposal approved by Congress in 2014 and has a majority endorsement of Spanish society, will be adopted in weeks more than in months.

Sánchez, who participates this Thursday in the final day of the extraordinary meeting of the European Council, has toured several EU countries to promote the recognition of the Palestinian State and has met in Brussels – on the sidelines of the summit of the Twenty-seven – with the prime ministers of Malta, Robert Abela, and Luxembourg, Luc Frieden.

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With Abela there has been harmony for the recognition of Palestine, since they have ratified the commitment signed by Spain, Malta, Slovenia and Ireland on March 22 to make it a reality.

However, it has not been specified whether they will take the step together or the date for it, since they have limited themselves to emphasizing that it will be done at the time that is considered appropriate.

The situation is different in the case of Luxembourg, because there is more internal division in this regard, and in the meeting there has only been an exchange of views.

The Spanish Government insists that its decision is made regardless of what other countries do, although it would like it to be a coordinated issue.

The Executive is aware that in each country there is a different procedure and in some cases it is necessary for the decision to go through Parliament and in others, as in Spain, it is not.

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Moncloa gives great relevance to the debate that will take place this Thursday in the UN Security Council on the presence of Palestine in the United Nations as a full member, a debate in which the United States is expected to veto that possibility and in which the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, will intervene in favor.

International

Rubio signals possible engagement with Iranian factions amid internal divisions

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that Washington is hopeful of engaging with factions within the government of Iran, noting that the United States has received positive private signals.

Speaking to ABC News’ Good Morning America, Rubio suggested that internal divisions exist within the Islamic Republic and expressed confidence that figures with the authority to act could emerge.

“We are hopeful that this will be the case,” Rubio said. “Clearly, there are people there who are communicating with us in ways that those previously in power in Iran did not. This is reflected in some of the steps they appear willing to take.”

Despite this, Rubio maintained a firm stance toward Iran, reiterating that the ongoing conflict seeks to eliminate its capacity to develop nuclear weapons—an objective that President Donald Trump has previously claimed was achieved during a military strike last year.

International

King Charles III to visit the U.S. on first state trip since taking the throne

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will undertake a state visit to the United States on the recommendation of the British government, Buckingham Palace announced on Tuesday, adding that further details will be released at a later date.

The visit aims to highlight the historic ties and current relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, as both countries prepare to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026.

The trip is expected to take place at the end of April and follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the United Kingdom last year, which sought to strengthen bilateral relations.

This will be Charles III’s first state visit to the United States since ascending to the throne in 2022, although he previously traveled there 19 times as Prince of Wales.

By comparison, Queen Elizabeth II made four state visits to the United States—in 1957, 1976, 1991, and 2007—while U.S. presidents have carried out four state visits to the United Kingdom since 1952, in 2003, 2011, 2019, and 2025.

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Following the U.S. trip, the monarch is also expected to travel to Bermuda, marking his first official visit to the territory since becoming head of state.

The visit comes amid tensions between the two countries due to differences between President Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the war in Iran. Starmer has reiterated that the United Kingdom will not take part in the conflict, although it will defend its interests and support allies in the Persian Gulf.

Trump has criticized that stance, urging countries not involved in the military campaign to act decisively, stating that “the hardest part is already done.”

The trip also follows a request by U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna, who called on the king to meet privately with victims linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his stay.

The case has also involved the king’s brother, Prince Andrew, who has faced scrutiny over his past associations with Epstein. The former royal, stripped of his titles and honors, has denied any wrongdoing despite ongoing allegations and investigations.

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International

Leopoldo López thanks Spain for fast-track citizenship but says “I am still Venezuelan”

Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López expressed gratitude on Tuesday to the Government of Spain after being granted Spanish citizenship through an expedited process, following the revocation of his Venezuelan nationality by the administration of Nicolás Maduro.

Speaking in Madrid, López acknowledged the gesture but admitted having mixed emotions. “I am grateful to the Spanish government for granting me citizenship, but I have mixed feelings, as do millions of Venezuelans who have had to leave their country. It is not easy,” he said.

The opposition figure highlighted Spain’s role as a refuge for Venezuelans, while emphasizing that his identity remains unchanged. “Spain has been, for me, my family, and hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, a homeland away from home. That does not mean we stop being Venezuelan. I am Venezuelan, I carry Venezuela in my heart, and everything I have done has been for Venezuela,” he added.

López requested Spanish nationality after the Venezuelan government stripped him of his citizenship in October, accusing him of promoting a “military invasion,” a move that left him effectively stateless.

Initially, he applied through the standard process in late 2025 but, unable to meet the requirements, later sought nationality through a special mechanism known as “carta de naturaleza,” with the support of Spain’s foreign minister, José Manuel Albares.

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To support his application, López submitted documentation from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which determined that he had been a victim of political persecution, arbitrary detention, imprisonment, and other actions by the Venezuelan government.

“For me, this has been a long journey. The persecution by the dictatorship against me began many years ago. I was banned, persecuted, censored, imprisoned, and sentenced to 14 years in prison. I had to escape from Venezuela, from prison,” he said.

Spain’s decision to grant him citizenship through an exceptional procedure was justified by his “very special situation,” including the lack of documentation and legal status.