A new round of diplomatic confrontation has erupted in the Spanish capital: authorities have decided to expel Nicaraguan ambassador Mauricio Carlo Gelli and his deputy from Madrid. This move mirrors the recent expulsion of Spanish ambassador Sergio Farré Salvá, initiated by the Nicaraguan government. Spain’s foreign ministry emphasizes that it is acting strictly on the principle of reciprocity, yet behind this formal explanation lies a much deeper crisis in relations between the two countries.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the Spanish diplomat at the center of the scandal had been in office for only a few weeks. His appointment was approved by the Council of Ministers in early December, and the official welcome at the embassy took place only in January. Nevertheless, just twenty days after taking office, Farré Salvá was forced to leave Managua at the request of the Nicaraguan authorities. Madrid responded swiftly: on Sunday, a decision was made to expel the head of the Nicaraguan mission and his close aide Miguel Mahiques Núñez.
Rising tensions
Spanish officials are withholding details that prompted such drastic measures from the Nicaraguan regime. However, diplomatic circles openly admit that relations between the two countries have long been far from ideal. The Spanish government did not recognize the re-election of Daniel Ortega as president in 2021, which became a turning point sparking a series of mutual accusations and diplomatic standoffs.
Spain’s Foreign Ministry issued only a brief statement, stressing that despite the current crisis, the country intends to maintain good relations with the people of Nicaragua. Nevertheless, in diplomatic circles there are concerns that the conflict could be prolonged, with ramifications for bilateral ties proving more serious than they initially appear.
A history of confrontation
This is far from the first time a diplomatic spark has ignited between Madrid and Managua. In 2021, shortly after José Manuel Albares was appointed foreign minister, Spain had already recalled its ambassador from Nicaragua. Back then, the move came in response to a harsh statement from the Nicaraguan office accusing Spain of meddling in internal affairs and even raising sensitive issues such as the GAL activities and the Catalan question.
The attempt to return the ambassador to Managua in March 2022 was unsuccessful: the Nicaraguan authorities refused to issue accreditation and responded by threatening similar measures. Shortly after, the Nicaraguan ambassador was recalled from Madrid. Only several months later, in July, did the Spanish side send a new representative to Managua, who was able to officially take up duties only at the beginning of 2023. It seemed the crisis had been resolved, yet the current events suggest otherwise.
Diplomacy on the edge
Recent events have once again brought the stability of relations between Spain and Nicaragua into question. Last week, Mauricio Carlo Gelli, who had recently attended King Felipe VI’s annual reception in Madrid, found himself at the center of an international scandal. His forced departure from Spain became not only a symbol of escalating conflict but also a warning sign for other countries closely watching the situation unfold.
Diplomatic circles note that such abrupt moves rarely lead to swift resolution. On the contrary, they can trigger a new wave of mistrust and mutual accusations. The Spanish government, despite official statements expressing a desire for dialogue, has to operate in a climate where every step may be seen either as a sign of weakness or, conversely, excessive harshness.
Consequences and expectations
While officials from both countries are refraining from detailed comments, experts are discussing possible scenarios for how the situation might unfold. Some analysts believe that the current crisis could drag on, putting diplomatic relations between Spain and Nicaragua on the verge of a breakdown. Others suggest that the parties may still find a way to ease tensions and prevent further escalation.
In any case, the situation remains extremely unstable. Spanish society is closely following developments, and diplomatic circles do not rule out new unexpected moves by Managua. The question of whether trust between the two countries can be restored remains open.
