The Spain-Florida Foundation 500 years paid a very emotional homage to Santiago Cabanas, General Consul of Spain in Miami, for his decisive participation in the origin of this organization, as well as his extraordinary labor as consul.

In his 5 year stay in Miami, Santiago Cabanas, who had also been ambassador to Prague, held other many important office posts not only in the Ministry of International Affairs but also in diplomatic delegations such as Teheran and Washington. He will now be a General Deputy Director for North America in Madrid.

The homage which was in one of the Club Riviera Salons in Coral Gables brought the  majority of the members of the Board of Directors together as well as friends and advisors of the Foundation.

In the name of the Foundation, the president, Emilio C. Sanchez, emphasized that “without Santiago the creation of the Foundation would have been impossible. His passion, credibility and power of conviction were vital”, he added.

The president of the Foundation emphasized 2 qualities of Santiago Cabanas: his profound sense and vision in the state of defense of the interests of Spain and, his admirable sense of public service.

He also underlined his endless love for North as well as South America and the recognition of the unconditional contribution that the Latin American countries as well as Spain have provided to the Unites States. Santiago Cabanas feels profoundly American due to his strong Hispanic identity in the United States and his continues work to recognize that contribution made 500 years ago.

The president of the Board of Directors of the Foundation, Jaime Tamayo, gave Santiago Cabanas a very special gift: a drawing of the artist, painter and sculptor from Asturias, Favila, which represents the galleon “Don Pelayo” in which don Pedro Menendez of Aviles first reached the shores of Florida, to establish the oldest city in the country, St. Augustine in 1565.

Santiago Cabanas was moved by the presentation and showed deep feelings of gratitude towards the gift presented as well as for the ongoing support of the Foundation. He acknowledged his deep sense of sadness for his departure and admitted that he was touched by the presence of everyone in the room. He also confirmed that he will continue to do everything possible in order to facilitate the achievement of future goals of the Foundation.