In this research article, we will analyse the tradition «The First English Consul» by Ricardo Palma, based on the idea that, if Thomas Rowcroft had been able to speak correct Spanish or, in the second instance, had he had the help of a translator or interpreter, he could have escaped death, since his accessibility to the Spanish language would have prevented him from being seen as an easy prey by his assassins and would have facilitated better communication with those who could have saved his life. Behind this diplomatic case, in which a translator would have played a crucial role if he had been involved, lies the analysis of this text, which allows the recognition of an underlying and important theme: the role of the translator and interpreter in international relations, insofar as he or she must be a mediator between the representatives of two countries, whether they are friendly nat...