José Félix de Lequerica

José Félix de Lequerica came from a Bilbao business family and studied law and philosophy. A conservative monarchist who moved toward authoritarian politics, he joined Franco’s side during the Civil War and became mayor of Bilbao in 1938. He subsequently represented Spain in France and served as foreign minister in 1944–1945. ^{1, 2}

Lequerica worked in Washington to end Spain’s diplomatic isolation and secure economic and military assistance. He became ambassador in 1951, when the two countries restored representation at that level, and served during the negotiations culminating in the 1953 agreements. He later became Spain’s first permanent representative to the United Nations, serving in New York until 1963. ^{1, 2}