On September 24, 2020, in the name of H.M. King Felipe VI of Spain, Ambassador Santiago Cabanas decorated the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico to the U.S. Congress, Jenniffer González-Colón, as Commander of the Order of Isabel la Católica, in recognition of her great contributions to strengthening Spain-U.S. relations.

In his remarks, Ambassador Cabanas highlighted the Commissioner’s constant support and collaboration with Spain from her position as co-president of the Congressional Friends of Spain Caucus. He also spoke of Spain’s long-lasting relationship with Puerto Rico: “Spain and Puerto Rico have an extremely long common history, as well as a future full of great opportunities to develop mutually beneficial projects, and we know that in Jenniffer González-Colón we will have excellent support and a great friend.”

Commissioner González-Colón expressed her appreciation, saying, “For me, it is a great honor and source of pride to receive this distinction in recognition of the work we have carried out over the past three years as co-president of the Congressional Friends of Spain Caucus to strengthen the relations between Spain and the United States, but, particularly, Puerto Rico.”

The Congressional Friends of Spain Caucus consists of both Democratic and Republican members of Congress who are interested in contributing to the continued enhancement of political, economic, and cultural relations between both countries. Congressman Joe Kennedy III of Massachusetts is the other co-president.