Retired Spanish Lieutenant General Juan Montenegro, who served as Spain's representative to NATO and EU military committees from 2018 to 2021, has warned that a forced departure from the Atlantic Alliance is unthinkable. In a recent interview, he stated that the United States could offer the Morón Air Base to Morocco as a punitive measure if Spain were to leave NATO.
Montenegro emphasized that such a scenario would be a strategic disaster for Spain, as Morón is a key base for US operations in Africa and the Mediterranean. He noted that the US has long sought to expand its military footprint in North Africa, and Morocco would be a willing partner.
The comments come amid ongoing tensions between Spain and Morocco over issues including Western Sahara and migration. However, no official US or Spanish government statements have confirmed any such plan. The Spanish Ministry of Defense declined to comment on Montenegro's remarks.
Morón Air Base, located near Seville, hosts a permanent US military presence under a bilateral agreement. Any transfer of the base would require complex negotiations and likely face strong opposition from both Spanish and international stakeholders.
