ADVERTISEMENT

Dallas shootings cast shadow over US President's trip to Spain

Obama was supposed to spend two days in Spain after attending a NATO summit in Warsaw earlier this week.

Adios, Three Amigos: Obama heads to last summit with Canada, Mexico

President Barack Obama will meet with the King of Spain and Spain's acting prime minister in Madrid on Sunday, but the trip that was meant to show solidarity with Europe has been overshadowed by violent events in the United States.

The visit is Obama's first to Spain as president. White House officials said it was important for Obama to make the trip, because Spain was the only major European country he had not traveled to during his term.

Obama was supposed to spend two days in Spain after attending a NATO summit in Warsaw earlier this week. At the summit, the United States, Spain and the other allied nations pledged to stand united in the face of threats from Russia and fall out from Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

But, after a sniper killed five police officers in Dallas on Thursday following the fatal shootings earlier in the week of two black men by police in Louisiana and Minnesota, the White House decided to cut the trip short so Obama could go to Dallas.

ADVERTISEMENT

Plans for sightseeing in Seville and a town hall meeting with Spanish citizens were canceled. Instead Obama, who landed in Madrid late on Saturday night, will squeeze in sessions with King Don Felipe and acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Sunday.

He will also address troops at Naval Station Rota, before heading back to the United States on Sunday night.

In an interview with Spain's El Pais published on Saturday, Obama called Spain "an indispensable European partner."

"Spain is a strong NATO ally, we're grateful for Spain's many decades of hosting U.S. forces, and we're major trading partners," Obama said in the interview. "That's why the United States is deeply committed to maintaining our relationship with a strong, unified Spain."

Obama's visit to Madrid comes after Rajoy's conservative People's Party (PP) failed to win a parliamentary majority last month leaving the country in a political stalemate as the parties work to form a coalition government.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

6 Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP in Enugu State

6 Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP in Enugu State

Tinubu's special assistant donates food items to 1,700 residents in FCT

Tinubu's special assistant donates food items to 1,700 residents in FCT

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Nigerians are expected to pay for TV licences — here’s what the law says

Nigerians are expected to pay for TV licences — here’s what the law says

BEDC management denies rumours of dissolution, increases revenue

BEDC management denies rumours of dissolution, increases revenue

Federal Govt set to sue Binance ltd, officials for tax evasion on April 4

Federal Govt set to sue Binance ltd, officials for tax evasion on April 4

What Nigerian law says about treatment of people with disabilities

What Nigerian law says about treatment of people with disabilities

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT