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The elected president of the United States, Donald Trump, announced on the social media platform Truth Social the nomination of Benjamín León Jr., a businessman of Cuban descent, as the new ambassador of the United States to Spain. This appointment is subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
Benjamín León Jr., born in Oriente, Cuba, in 1944, emigrated to the United States in 1961 at the age of 16, settling in Miami with his family. He is the founder of Leon Medical Centers (LMC), a company that provides healthcare services to Medicare beneficiaries in the Miami-Dade area. Earlier, along with his father, he founded the Cuban Association Clinic (CAC), which received Florida's first Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) license in 1973. In 1994, they sold CAC to UnitedHealthCare for approximately $500 million.
León is also known for his passion for horse riding, having founded Besilu Stables in the 1980s, as well as for his philanthropic efforts in causes such as the League Against Cancer and support for medical research at prestigious institutions. Additionally, he is a prominent donor to the Republican Party.
In his announcement, Trump emphasized León's background and accomplishments: "It is an honor to propose Benjamín León Jr. as our ambassador to Spain. His story and commitment to the values of our nation are exceptional."
León's appointment underscores the importance of Cuban Americans in the elected president's agenda and his strategy to strengthen international ties, particularly with Spain.
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