Madrid and Málaga, 5-9 May

This edition of the program was dedicated to Hispanic state legislators. From May 5 to 9, we welcomed the leadership of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL), the leading national association of Hispanic state legislators in the United States. Founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, it works to develop public policies that improve quality of life and amplify the voices of the more than 440 Hispanic legislators across the country.

On the Spanish side, it was emphasized that the Hispanic community in the U.S. is of the utmost interest to both Spain’s public institutions and private sector. Additionally, wind energy, transportation and infrastructure, and the value of the Spanish language in the professional world were the central topics of the various meetings and visits. Looking ahead to the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence in 2026 — and because of its potential significance for the U.S. Hispanic community — the group also discussed at length Spain’s support for General Washington and the revolutionaries, especially through the troops led by General Bernardo de Gálvez.

For its part, the visit allowed the NHCSL leadership to introduce the organization in Spain and highlight to multiple contacts the priorities and importance of the U.S. Hispanic community.

The trip began with a welcome by the Foundation team, followed by Director General Luis Fonseca at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where they discussed the state of bilateral relations. Afterwards, they enjoyed panoramic views of Madrid from the rooftop of the Círculo de Bellas Artes and took a guided tour of the Spanish Congress of Deputies.

The welcome lunch was held at Casa de América, attended by the Foundation’s trustees. It was there that Diego Martínez Belío, Secretary of State for Foreign and Global Affairs, and Josu Jon Imaz, President of the Foundation, officially welcomed the legislators. The day concluded with a tour of the Museo del Prado galleries, where they enjoyed some of the jewels of Spanish painting.

Tuesday was dedicated to energy, one of the sectors in which Spain is a global leader. They were welcomed at the Spanish Wind Energy Association (AEE) and at Iberdrola’s Innovation and Training Center in San Agustín de Guadalix. These visits gave them insight into the importance of renewables in Spain, which account for nearly 57% of total electricity generation.

Transportation and infrastructure were the focus on Wednesday. The group went to the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, where they were received by Secretary of State José Antonio Santano Clavero, who proudly noted that Spain has the second-largest high-speed rail network in the world. They then visited the Association of Construction and Infrastructure Concession Companies (SEOPAN) and the headquarters of ACS, one of the world’s leading infrastructure companies.

They had lunch with Erika Rodríguez Pinzón, Director of the Fundación Carolina, which promotes cultural, educational, and scientific exchanges with the Latin American community. The Carolina Foundation was also an essential pillar in making this year’s edition of the program possible.

In the afternoon, they put the morning’s discussions into practice by traveling on the AVE high-speed train to Málaga.

On Thursday, now in Málaga, they visited Google’s Cybersecurity Center and then participated in a session at the University of Málaga alongside professors and scholars on the importance of the Spanish language globally. They also discovered that the city is a technological hub by visiting the National Digital Content Hub and Escuela 42. There was also time to stroll through the city’s streets and sample local culinary specialties.

The final day, after being received at city hall by Mayor Paco de la Torre, was dedicated to commemorating Spain’s involvement in U.S. independence. The NHCSL members visited Macharaviaya to learn more about Bernardo de Gálvez and his historical importance, which is well reflected by the 2014 U.S. Congressional law declaring him an Honorary Citizen of the United States — an honor granted to only seven other foreign figures.

The Mayor of Macharaviaya mentioned that the Texas House of Representatives passed in 2023 a resolution of recognition to the figure of Gálvez.

To further illustrate the role of this Spanish hero in U.S. independence, they spoke with Leonardo Cervera, author of a biographical novel about Gálvez and a knowledgeable expert on this figure.