In a notable recognition of his career, the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the Kingdom of Spain, Juan Bolívar Díaz, has been invited to join the Committee for America of the Pro-Real Spanish Royal Academy Foundation. The honorary presidency of this foundation is held by His Majesty the King of Spain, Felipe VI.
The invitation, extended by the Director of the Royal Spanish Academy, Santiago Muñoz Machado, was positively accepted by Ambassador Díaz, who was subsequently received at the institution's headquarters in Madrid. The Committee, which already included the participation of once-prominent figures from literature, diplomacy, business, and Ibero-American politics, has expanded its composition with the inclusion of the experienced journalist.
According to the invitation letter, the Pro-Real Spanish Royal Academy Foundation created the "Committee for America" in December 2022 with the purpose of facilitating and promoting decision-making related to actions in Spanish-speaking countries and supporting the Pan-Hispanic action of the Royal Spanish Academy.
In the words of Ambassador Díaz, accepting the invitation means "recognition for the Dominican Republic rather than for myself." He emphasized the pride that Dominicans feel for their cultural legacy, with the Spanish language playing a fundamental role.
The Committee for America boasts the distinguished presence of personalities such as Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa, former presidents Julio María Sanguinetti, Felipe González, and Ricardo Lagos, as well as Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Among business leaders are Antonio Garamendi, President of CEOE, and Nuria Vilanova, President of the Business Council Alliance for Ibero-America, among others. Additionally, the ambassadors to Spain from Argentina and Uruguay, Ricardo Alfonsín and Ana Teresa Ayala Barrios, are part of this select group.
Ambassador Díaz was appointed by President Luis Abinader as diplomatic representative to the Kingdom of Spain in November 2020 and presented credentials to His Majesty Felipe VI in February 2021. During his stay in Spain, he has received numerous recognitions, both for his role as ambassador and for his distinguished half-century career in Dominican journalism.