The United States does not persist in its efforts for Spain to be part of the international military mission in the Red Sea to protect maritime traffic from aggression by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Charles Brown, telephoned yesterday his counterpart in Spain, the Chief of Defense Staff, Teodoro López Calderón, to address the Spanish refusal.
As reported by General Brown himself through the Both addressed the Houthis’ “continued illegal attacks” on commercial vessels.
And it was at that point, according to Brown’s version, that he reiterated the United States’ desire to work “with all nations that share the interest of defending the principle of freedom of navigation and guaranteeing safe passage for global shipping.”
In the statement after the call, also released by the United States in response to the secrecy with which the Government of Spain is managing this matter, they remember that “Spain is a vital ally of NATO and shares a long-standing strategic relationship with the United States.” Joined”.
The call comes at a time when shipping rates between Europe and Asia have increased by 16%. The United States is already escorting ships in the Red Sea, but intends to spread efforts. Spain, after days of back and forth – and appearing on a first list of countries participating in the mission drawn up by the US – proposed that the European Union create a new mission so as not to transform Atalanta, which fights against piracy at sea. Indian. Of course, after launching that proposal, he was ruled out as a participant.
