Cervantes Director: 'Controversy' with RAE Not Closed Despite Panama Agreement

The recent agreement between the Cervantes Institute and the Panamanian government to host the 11th International Spanish Language Congress in 2028 is a significant step, but it does not entirely smooth over the ruffled feathers with the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE).

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The controversy with the RAE has not been closed, what has been taken is a decision by the Cervantes Institute, a decision discussed with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, with the Government of Spain, and the priority is to respect and defend the relations of Spain with Panama and of the Cervantes Institute with the Academy of the Panamanian Language.

Luis García Montero, the head of the Cervantes Institute, expressed that while the deal with Panama is crucial for fostering relations, the controversy with the RAE remains unresolved. He highlighted that the RAE's director, Santiago Muñoz Machado, allegedly attempted to unilaterally impose Panama as the host city, disregarding established protocols and the collaborative nature of such decisions.

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We were surprised when suddenly the director of the Academy of the Spanish Language made a decision that did not correspond to him, which was to decide what the venue for the next meeting would be.

From our perspective at ABC Color, this situation underscores a tension between institutional pride and the practicalities of international cooperation. While the RAE's actions may have been perceived as overstepping, the Cervantes Institute's decision to proceed with Panama, emphasizing the importance of its relationship with the host nation and its local language academy, demonstrates a pragmatic approach to diplomacy. This incident, though seemingly a procedural dispute, touches upon the broader dynamics of how Spanish-speaking nations collaborate and manage their shared linguistic heritage.

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He disregarded protocol, legislation, and to gain prominence, decided on his own that the Congress would be in Panama.

It is noteworthy that while Western media might focus on the procedural breach, our local coverage emphasizes the importance of respecting Panama's role and the potential impact on regional linguistic initiatives. The Cervantes Institute's commitment to ensuring the congress meets Panama's standards, even with Montero stepping down before 2028, reflects a dedication to the event's success and the host country's prestige.

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Rather than arguing with the director of the Royal Academy (Española), we have decided to sign with the minister (Molinar) and the Government of Panama, as is appropriate according to protocol.