Latest news with #FernandoGrande-Marlaska
Morocco World
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Spain's Interior Minister Blames Vox for Fueling Hate Against Migrants, Including Moroccans
Rabat – Spain's Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has officially pointed fingers at far-right party Vox, accusing it of inciting the recent wave of violence in southern Spain, particularly Torre Pacheco in southeastern Spain. Migrant communities, particularly Moroccans, were targeted following an assault incident against a Spanish retiree last week. Police in Spain have arrested eight suspects since Friday amid a wave of violence targeting North African immigrants, with two confirmed of committed the assault against the individual. Converging reports said the nest was fueled by the hate-filled rhetoric dissipated by the far-right. In an interview today with Cadena Ser radio, Marlaska said the arrests took place, noting that the majority, five of the eight, of those arrested for acts of violence are Spanish nationals. He added that an investigation is ongoing to determine the full scope of responsibility. The confirmation comes in contrast to misleading narratives targeting migrants, particularly Moroccans. Marlaska accused Vox of exacerbating the unrest in Torre Pacheco, noting that 'organized groups' are active to criminalize immigration instead of promoting coexistence and prosperity. He stressed that the events are not rooted in migrant related crime, but are instead the result of hate-fueled rhetoric by Vox and its affiliates. Pedro Angel Roca, the mayor of Torre Pacheco, also defended migrants, noting that there are families that have been living in the town for over 20 years, working in different sectors, including agriculture. Several new outlets circulated reports saying that tensions remain high in the region, documenting the attacks against North African immigrants, both on and offline. El País reported that far-right groups exploited the event, using social media to organize a 'hunt' against migrants from North Africa in the San Antonio neighborhood, which serves as home to a large Moroccan community. According to recent data from the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, the number of foreign workers affiliated with Spain's social security system reached a historic high in June, totaling 3,096,014 individuals. Moroccans remain the largest foreign community affiliated with Spanish social security, with 375,042 workers, ahead of Romanians, Colombians, and Italians.
Daily Maverick
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Eight arrested after far-right groups and migrants clash in Spanish town
In one of Spain's worst such flare-ups of recent times, several dozen youths from far-right groups, some hooded, hurled glass bottles and objects at riot police in Torre Pacheco on Sunday night. Police fired rubber bullets to quell the unrest. The trouble stemmed from an attack last week by unidentified assailants on an elderly man that left him injured and recovering at home. Authorities said two of those arrested were involved in that assault though they were still looking for the main perpetrator. The other six – five Spaniards and one person of North African origin – were arrested for assault, public disorder, hate crimes or damage to property, the Interior Ministry said. Migrants, many of them second-generation, make up about a third of Torre Pacheco's population of about 40,000. The area around the town also hosts large numbers of migrants who work as day labourers in agriculture, one of the pillars of the economy in the Murcia region. Speaking to radio station Cadena Ser, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska attributed the violence to anti-immigration rhetoric from far-right groups and political parties such as Vox, citing organisation and calls on social media. Police intercepted more than 20 vehicles attempting to enter the town, with some occupants carrying sticks and extendable batons, he said. 'There are gatherings to resolve the issue (assault) for us. We don't want those,' mayor Pedro Angel Roca told national broadcaster TVE. Abdelali, a North African migrant who lives in Torre Pacheco and declined to give his surname, said he was afraid of riding his scooter for fear of being hit by bottles hurled by the rioters. 'We want peace. That's what we want, we don't want anything else,' he told Reuters on Sunday on a street in Torre Pacheco. In 2000, violent anti-immigration protests broke out in the Almeria town of El Ejido in southern Spain after three Spanish citizens were killed by Moroccan migrants.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Eight arrested after far-right groups and migrants clash in Spanish town
By Leonardo Benassatto TORRE PACHECO, Spain (Reuters) -Spanish police have arrested eight people after three nights of clashes between far-right groups and North African migrants in a town in southeastern Spain, the government said on Monday. In one of Spain's worst such flare-ups of recent times, several dozen youths from far-right groups, some hooded, hurled glass bottles and objects at riot police in Torre Pacheco on Sunday night. Police fired rubber bullets to quell the unrest. The trouble stemmed from an attack last week by unidentified assailants on an elderly man that left him injured and recovering at home. Authorities said two of those arrested were involved in that assault though they were still looking for the main perpetrator. The other six - five Spaniards and one person of North African origin - were arrested for assault, public disorder, hate crimes or damage to property, the Interior Ministry said. Migrants, many of them second-generation, make up about a third of Torre Pacheco's population of about 40,000. The area around the town also hosts large numbers of migrants who work as day labourers in agriculture, one of the pillars of the economy in the Murcia region. Speaking to radio station Cadena Ser, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska attributed the violence to anti-immigration rhetoric from far-right groups and political parties such as Vox, citing organisation and calls on social media. Police intercepted more than 20 vehicles attempting to enter the town, with some occupants carrying sticks and extendable batons, he said. "There are gatherings to resolve the issue (assault) for us. We don't want those," mayor Pedro Angel Roca told national broadcaster TVE. Abdelali, a North African migrant who lives in Torre Pacheco and declined to give his surname, said he was afraid of riding his scooter for fear of being hit by bottles hurled by the rioters. "We want peace. That's what we want, we don't want anything else," he told Reuters on Sunday on a street in Torre Pacheco. In 2000, violent anti-immigration protests broke out in the Almeria town of El Ejido in southern Spain after three Spanish citizens were killed by Moroccan migrants.
Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Straits Times
Eight arrested after far-right groups and migrants clash in Spanish town
Find out what's new on ST website and app. People run on a street during clashes with police, amid anti-migrant unrest following an attack on an elderly man by unknown assailants earlier in the week, in Torre Pacheco, Spain, July 13, 2025. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura TORRE PACHECO, Spain - Spanish police have arrested eight people after three nights of clashes between far-right groups and North African migrants in a town in southeastern Spain, the government said on Monday. In one of Spain's worst such flare-ups of recent times, several dozen youths from far-right groups, some hooded, hurled glass bottles and objects at riot police in Torre Pacheco on Sunday night. Police fired rubber bullets to quell the unrest. The trouble stemmed from an attack last week by unidentified assailants on an elderly man that left him injured and recovering at home. Authorities said two of those arrested were involved in that assault though they were still looking for the main perpetrator. The other six - five Spaniards and one person of North African origin - were arrested for assault, public disorder, hate crimes or damage to property, the Interior Ministry said. Migrants, many of them second-generation, make up about a third of Torre Pacheco's population of about 40,000. The area around the town also hosts large numbers of migrants who work as day labourers in agriculture, one of the pillars of the economy in the Murcia region. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore HSA intensifies crackdown on vapes; young suspected Kpod peddlers nabbed in Bishan, Yishun Singapore Man charged over distributing nearly 3 tonnes of vapes in one day in Bishan, Ubi Avenue 3 Singapore Singapore to train more aviation and maritime officials from around the world Business Singapore's economy sees surprise expansion in Q2 despite US tariff uncertainty: Advance estimate Singapore High Court dismisses appeal of drink driver who killed one after treating Tampines road like racetrack Singapore 18 years' jail for woman who hacked adoptive father to death after tussle over Sengkang flat Singapore Jail, caning for man who had 285 child porn videos, including those that show infants Singapore Three power firms get co-funding to study carbon capture, storage to help Singapore decarbonise Speaking to radio station Cadena Ser, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska attributed the violence to anti-immigration rhetoric from far-right groups and political parties such as Vox, citing organisation and calls on social media. Police intercepted more than 20 vehicles attempting to enter the town, with some occupants carrying sticks and extendable batons, he said. "There are gatherings to resolve the issue (assault) for us. We don't want those," mayor Pedro Angel Roca told national broadcaster TVE. Abdelali, a North African migrant who lives in Torre Pacheco and declined to give his surname, said he was afraid of riding his scooter for fear of being hit by bottles hurled by the rioters. "We want peace. That's what we want, we don't want anything else," he told Reuters on Sunday on a street in Torre Pacheco. In 2000, violent anti-immigration protests broke out in the Almeria town of El Ejido in southern Spain after three Spanish citizens were killed by Moroccan migrants. REUTERS
Ya Biladi
4 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Record-breaking summer expected for Operation Crossing the Strait, says Spanish Minister
During his visit to the Port of Tarifa (Cádiz) on Thursday, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska announced that «Operation Crossing the Strait» (OPE 2025) has recorded a 5.6% increase in travelers and a 6.9% rise in vehicles compared to summer 2024. The trend points toward a new record, potentially surpassing the 3.4 million crossings registered last year, the highest since the operation began in 1986. As of July 8, the number of travelers had reached 409,000, with 103,000 vehicles, signaling what could be an unprecedented summer in terms of cross-strait movement. Grande-Marlaska praised the operation's «efficiency», describing it as a testament to Spain's strong civil protection system and effective coordination with Morocco, «crucial for the campaign's success». He emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration both in the planning and execution phases of the operation. During his visit, the minister toured the facilities at the Port of Tarifa, the second-busiest port in terms of passenger traffic. As of July 8, Tarifa had registered 71,367 passengers and 8,950 vehicles across 338 ferry crossings. He also held meetings with local and security officials and visited the border control area, where he met with representatives of the National Police, Civil Guard, Civil Protection, and the Red Cross. The visit also included an encounter with the Moroccan consul and a representative of the Mohammed VI Foundation.
