Related videos:
The Cuban-American businessman and philanthropist Benjamín León Jr. was confirmed by the United States Senate as the new U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain and the Principality of Andorra, culminating a process that began earlier this year following his nomination in January by then-elect President Donald Trump.
The confirmation was officially announced by the United States Embassy in Madrid on X, highlighting that León Jr. will soon present his credentials to His Majesty King Felipe VI and will undertake the mission of promoting American interests and strengthening the bilateral relationship with both countries.
The diplomatic mission also expressed its anticipation for welcoming him in the Spanish capital.
The appointment of León Jr. had been announced in January, when Trump declared on Truth Social his intention to name him ambassador, highlighting his personal and professional background as well as his commitment to the values of the United States.
At that time, the appointment was awaiting Senate approval, a step that has now been completed.
Born in Oriente, Cuba, in 1944, Benjamín León Jr. emigrated to the United States in 1961, at just 16 years old. He settled in Miami with his family, where he started from scratch and held various jobs, including washing dishes at the Shelborne hotel, delivering newspapers for the Miami Herald, and stocking shelves at grocery stores.
Those beginnings established a work ethic that would later define his business career.
Together with his father, Benjamín León Sr., he was involved in the establishment of one of the first health insurance companies aimed at the Hispanic community in the United States, a pioneering project that made access to healthcare services easier for thousands of immigrants.
From that experience, the Cuban Association Clinic (CAC) was established, which in 1973 obtained the first Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) license in Florida. In 1994, the family sold CAC to UnitedHealthCare for approximately 500 million dollars.
Later, León Jr. founded Leon Medical Centers (LMC), a network of medical centers that provides specialized care for Medicare beneficiaries in the Miami-Dade area, with a particular focus on the Hispanic population and seniors.
Under her leadership, the company established itself as a benchmark in providing culturally appropriate and accessible healthcare services. In 2023, it received the Exceptional Achievement Award for its outstanding work in the medical field, a recognition supported by local institutions in South Florida.
Philanthropy has been another pillar of his career. León Jr. has supported causes related to health and medical research for years, as well as community organizations.
In 2024, he made a donation of 10 million dollars for the creation of CasaCuba, a project of Florida International University (FIU) aimed at preserving and promoting Cuban culture, history, and traditions, conceived as a space for research and academic exchange.
Outside the healthcare and philanthropic sectors, he is also known for his passion for equestrianism.
As the founder of Besilu Stables in the 1980s, he became a prominent figure in thoroughbred racing, participating in high-level events and building a reputation grounded in patience and strategic planning.
León Jr. is also a prominent donor to the Republican Party, and his appointment strengthens the presence of Cuban-Americans in key positions within Donald Trump's administration.
Alongside him, other members of that community have been selected for significant positions, reflecting their political weight and influence on the national and international agenda of the United States.
The arrival of a Cuban exile as the American ambassador in Spain, a country currently governed by a leftist coalition, adds a unique element to the diplomatic landscape.
His administration could introduce new nuances in the bilateral relationship and in Washington's approach to sensitive issues such as human rights and democracy in Cuba, contrasting with the historically more flexible stance that Madrid has maintained toward Havana.
With his confirmation, Benjamín León Jr. begins a new chapter in a journey marked by exile, entrepreneurship, and public influence, now at the helm of one of the most significant diplomatic missions of the United States in Europe.
Filed under: