Spain, NATO’s weakest link

OPINION:

President Trump’s recent threat to sever trade ties with Spain was not impulsive.

It was the long-overdue recognition that the far-left socialist government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has transformed Spain into the weakest link in and a danger to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

For years, Madrid has shirked its defense responsibilities, aligned itself with America’s most virulent adversaries and created a culture of corruption that has reached the highest levels of government. This policy of appeasement has failed.

The Sanchez government has proved itself an unreliable partner and a strategic liability in an increasingly dangerous world. It has strengthened NATO’s adversaries while systematically dismantling the organization’s foundation of shared commitment and mutual burden-sharing.

This rift was most recently caused by Madrid’s flagrant obstruction of Operation Epic Fury, when Sanchez denied the U.S. use of our jointly operated Spanish air bases. Doubling down, the government then denied Spanish airspace to all U.S. military aircraft.

At the 2025 NATO summit, as the alliance faced a renewed threat from an aggressive Russia, members agreed to a new, binding pledge to spend at least 3.5% of gross domestic product on defense. Spain was the only member nation to reject this commitment.

Mr. Sanchez secured a special exemption to cap spending at a paltry 2.1%, a continuation of a long-standing policy of dereliction.

The Sanchez government’s sabotage of NATO is the logical extension of a foreign policy that actively courts the enemies of the United States. Under Mr. Sanchez, Madrid has become the European capital for a confederacy of anti-American, leftist regimes, providing them with diplomatic cover, economic lifelines, international respectability and a platform to attack Western interests.

Mr. Sanchez aims to reorient Spain away from the trans-Atlantic alliance toward a coalition of anti-American, anti-Western regimes. He has called for a greater Chinese role in global security and defense, supports the annexation of Taiwan and has opened Spain to 70 Huawei critical infrastructure products, effectively turning Spain into China’s gateway to Europe.

Many now question why we continue to subsidize the security of a nation that actively works against our national security interests.

The ruling Spanish Socialist Workers Party coalition’s ties to the narco-dictatorship in Venezuela are well-documented. Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Rodriguez Zapatero, a Chinese lobbyist, is under investigation by Spain’s National Court for his collaboration with the cartels. When the U.S. captured dictator Nicolas Maduro, Spain was the only European Union government to denounce the arrest.

Mr. Sanchez’s pro-Tehran stance is driven by his far-left coalition partners. Some of them have documented financial ties to the Iranian regime, having received millions of dollars through front organizations. This allegiance is reflected in Spain’s fanatical anti-Israel posture.

Iran reportedly posted stickers featuring anti-war comments by Mr. Sanchez on missiles launched at Israel.

Madrid recently recognized a Palestinian state, a move celebrated by Hamas. Mr. Sanchez has sold Iran dual-use technology while imposing a total arms embargo on Israel. This followed a 2025 decision to block any arms shipments through Spain to Israel.

Cabinet members have joined anti-Israel street protests. The transportation minister publicly called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “genocidal bastard.” Mr. Sanchez recalled Spain’s ambassador to Israel while reopening the Spanish Embassy in Tehran. He also called on the European Union to suspend all trade agreements with Israel.

Spain has long been Cuba’s chief advocate in Europe, consistently working to weaken EU sanctions and expand trade and aid with the communist dictatorship. This policy provides a vital economic lifeline to a failed and repressive regime, undermining the cause of freedom and democracy 90 miles from our shores.

Mr. Sanchez’s parliamentary socialist coalition includes communists, far-left regional separatists and terrorist-front parties. The prime minister has gone from policy critic to hardened political opponent. He is the most virulent and public anti-U.S. political leader and anti-Trump standard-bearer in Europe and a darling of global liberals.

Mr. Sanchez’s deliberate and sustained campaign of financial delinquency, operational obstruction and ideological alignment with U.S. adversaries has transformed Spain from a historically reliable ally and partner into NATO’s weakest link.

It’s time to stop playing nice and start thinking about aligning ourselves more with those who want to align with us.

• Emilio T. Gonzalez is a retired U.S. intelligence officer who has served in senior positions in the U.S. Army, on the National Security Council and within the Department of Homeland Security.