The Europeanization of Spanish Foreign Policy. Analysis of the Venezuelan crisis (2017-2021)

Spain is a key asset for the Latin American foreign policy of the EU. Since its accession in 1986, it has uploaded its policy preferences to the EU level and actively contributed to the reinforcement of EU-Latin American relations, via the mobilization of its national foreign policy instruments and an adequate use of agenda-setting strategies. Although it encountered some obstacles in the process, its legitimacy to lead the EU on Latin American issues has remained unchallenged. However, in the context of the economic, political and humanitarian Venezuelan crisis, the leadership of Spain at the EU level has been severely weakened due to disputes between Spanish political parties on what the position of their country should be.