Podcast Summary

Podcast: Más de uno
Host: Carlos Alsina (Onda Cero)
Episode: Tertulia: ¿A quién apoyas más, a Delcy o a Corina?
Date: January 16, 2026

Overview

This episode of “Más de uno” centers on a spirited roundtable (“tertulia”) that dissects Spain’s current affairs, pivoting especially to the shifting international landscape: escalating tensions around Greenland, the evolving situation in Venezuela and the stark choices between Delcy Rodríguez and María Corina Machado with the United States (Trump) looming large in both. It also touches on significant national topics—such as the allegations against Julio Iglesias and the itinerant domestic political maneuvering.

Using equal doses of rigor and humor, Carlos Alsina and regular contributors explore the deeper meanings behind geopolitical intrigues and their impacts both abroad and within Spain.

Key Discussion Points

1. International Tensions: Greenland and the New World Order

• Context:
  Reports of military build-ups in Greenland amid rising tensions between the US, Russia, and China. European countries discuss sending token forces to affirm their role in NATO and dissuade unilateral American action.
• Key Observations (00:05–01:56, 47:03–62:45):
  • The European commitment seems more symbolic than substantial; for example, the UK sent just one soldier, as highlighted with humor (“Una fuerza militar que cabe en dos autobuses,” Alsina, 00:46).
  • Trump wants to “control” or even “purchase” Greenland, drawing historic parallels to Alaska and suggesting it’s mainly about US interests and resources.
  • European governments attempt a show of unity, but observers note Trump's blunt, transactional logic and Europe’s limited sway.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Al final cuando Trump dice Groenlandia tiene que ser estadounidense, pues se acabó el debate.” – Alsina, (57:22)

2. Venezuela: ¿Delcy Rodríguez o María Corina Machado?

• Issue:
  Following Trump’s meeting with opposition leader María Corina Machado and the contrasting support shown for regime figure Delcy Rodríguez, panelists debate what these signals mean for Venezuela’s future.
• Key Points (01:56–03:44, 27:21–46:50):
  • Machado gave Trump her Nobel medal in thanks, rewarding him symbolically for his stance, though Trump did not commit to endorsing her politically.
  • Delcy Rodríguez portrays herself as dignified and independent, vowing to “iré de pie, no arrastrada” to Washington (03:44, 31:14).
  • Trump’s practical approach: he prefers dealing with whoever guarantees oil and stability, leading observers to feel that at this stage he favors Delcy—“Delcy ofrece petróleo. Entre una cosa y otra, Delcy,” (02:46).
• Panel Reflections:
  • Mamen Mendizábal expresses “vergüenza ajena” for Machado’s gesture, interpreting it as the last gasp of a failed opposition strategy (32:29).
  • Rubén Amón sees Trump’s approach as pure pragmatism: “Delsey está entregada a Trump. Efectivamente. Y lo que ocurre es que a Trump le interesa en este momento DEL. Sí, porque él quiere controlar el régimen…” (33:54)
  • Joaquín Manso finds hope in Machado’s reception, seeing it as evidence of at least “una expectativa de cambio” (36:31, 42:27).
• Memorable Quote:
  • “Porque a lo mejor alguna de las cosas que dijo ayer María Corina explican por qué Donald Trump prefiere en este momento a una sátrapa tirana como Delcy Rodríguez que a María Corina Machado… Esa es la diferencia entre la dignidad democrática y el vasallaje.” – Joaquín Manso, (38:32)

3. The Julio Iglesias Allegations

• Context:
  Allegations of sexual abuse surface against Julio Iglesias. The hosts discuss the seriousness of the claims, parallels to other celebrity cases, and the necessity for judicial—not media—resolution.
• Key Points (15:56–26:46):
  • Concern about premature judgments, calls for the process to play out in court.
  • Criticism of polarized public reactions based on ideology or celebrity allegiance.
  • Reflection on the difference with the Plácido Domingo accusations.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “Me parece que en todos estos pasos que han dado algunos... hay que retirar todas las medallas, todas las calles, todos los honores... Creo que no es lo que procede en este momento. Lo que procede en efecto, es dar paso a la justicia.” – Rubén Amón (20:02)
  • “La politización absolutamente grotesca... apostar por la inocencia o la culpabilidad de Julio Iglesias me parece una cuestión profundamente grotesca.” – Joaquín Manso (23:05)...

4. National Politics: PSOE, Feijóo, and the Shadow of Trump

• Context:
  The panel transitions into the domestic scene—funding models, the role of the CIS, the PSOE’s political strategies, and the internationalization of Pedro Sánchez as Trump’s adversary.
• Highlights (63:44–68:46):
  • Expectation that Sánchez will lean on his “antagonist to Trump” persona to fortify his image ahead of elections.
  • Discussion about the resaca (fallout) of regional financing and how every element of Spanish politics is now intertwined with global events.
  • Sharp takes on how symbolic confrontation, either with internal or external adversaries (“el héroe frente a Trump”), plays domestically.
• Quotes:
  • “Pedro Sánchez aparecería cómodamente como el antagonista del trumpismo, adalid del europeísmo y del multilateralismo.” – Joaquín Manso (65:09)
  • “Yo creo que al Partido Socialista le funciona muy bien en verano la estrategia de Gaza... La estrategia del PSOE internacional se le ha visto el plumero.” – Mamen Mendizábal (66:20)

5. Humor, Irony, and Commentary on the Daily News

• The episode weaves in both light-hearted banter (e.g., birthday jokes, Carraspeos) and pointed, sometimes caustic, remarks about public figures’ grandstanding or Spanish institutional quirks.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Carlos Alsina (on political diagnoses):
  “Es grave, pero está estable. La Tierra sigue girando.” (00:17)
• Marisol Parada (on Delcy):
  “Si algún día me tocase ir a Washington, lo haré de pie, caminando, no arrastrada.” (03:44, 31:14)
• Rafa La Torre (on Trump’s support):
  “Donald Trump considera que Delcy Rodríguez es una mujer fantástica y a María Corina Machado la hace entrar por la puerta del servicio... A mí lo que me gustaría preguntarle a Trump es qué crimen de los que le imputan a Nicolás Maduro no es también imputable a Delcy Rodríguez.” (10:37–11:18)
• Mamen Mendizábal (on Machado’s Nobel gesture):
  “Este gesto de María Corina Machado de darle la medalla a Donald Trump es como ya la última oportunidad de una oportunidad que ni existe. Me da tremenda pena...” (32:29)
• Rubén Amón (on European reaction):
  “Siempre vamos a estar en desigualdad militar frente a Estados Unidos. De eso no va. Va de poner la bandera, va de unir esfuerzos.” (55:42)
• Joaquín Manso (on the Venezuela dilemma):
  “La diferencia entre la dignidad democrática y el vasallaje.” (38:32)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Greenland & Geopolitical Tension: 00:05–01:56, 47:03–62:45
• Venezuela: Delcy vs Corina, Trump’s role: 01:56–03:44, 27:21–46:50
• Julio Iglesias Allegations: 15:56–26:46
• National Politics/Financing Model/CIS: 63:44–68:46
• Humorous Banter & Commentary: Weaved throughout, esp. 14:01–15:51, 71:02–72:28

Tone & Style

The show’s trademark tone alternates between incisive, direct commentary and self-aware, ironic banter. While the stakes are substantial, both national and international, panelists often diffuse tension with humor and maintain a conversational, accessible pace.

Conclusion

This tertulia episode expertly navigates from the international chessboard—Greenland, Venezuela, the Trump factor—to intimate national concerns, showcasing how Spanish politics is increasingly defined by global confrontations and symbols. The recurrent question—standing with Delcy or Corina—serves as a prism for discussing dignity, realpolitik, the pitfalls of symbolism, and the uneasy dance between principle and practicality in politics today.