A fake video shared on social media has been blamed for sparking violent anti-migrant protests in Torre Pacheco, a town in southern Spain. The country’s Minister of Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, said the video, which showed an elderly man being beaten, was not real and did not show the actual event that took place last week.
The violence started after the video went viral online. The man in the video was reportedly a 68-year-old retiree. But according to the Minister, the real victim did not recognize himself in the clip. Authorities say the false video was shared by far-right groups and influencers, leading many to wrongly blame migrants for the attack.
What led to the violent protests in Spain?
This fake video created anger and fear, especially toward migrants from the Maghreb region. Nearly one-third of Torre Pacheco’s 40,000 residents are from that region. Over the weekend, hundreds of angry people took to the streets. Some wore masks and carried bats, looking for those responsible for the attack.
The scenes were similar to anti-migrant riots in the UK last year, which were also fueled by false claims spread online by far-right groups. Spanish police have arrested at least 14 people involved in the protests, including two young Moroccan men who were accused of watching the real attack without helping.
The attacker in the real video has been identified but not yet arrested. The government is taking the situation seriously and has sent more police officers to the area. Civil Guard agents are being supported by 45 anti-riot units and intelligence teams to prevent more violence.
Who is being blamed for the unrest?
Minister Grande-Marlaska blamed far-right groups, especially the political party Vox, for causing fear and spreading lies. He said that connecting migration to crime without proof is dangerous and leads to hate. Vox, however, denied the claims. Its leader, Santiago Abascal, called for mass deportations of migrants who commit crimes, both legal and illegal, following a model like former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez spoke out against the violence. He said racism has no place in a democratic society and called on everyone to protect values like respect, peace, and unity.
Is the Spanish government doing anything about it?
Yes, the government is increasing security in Torre Pacheco. They are monitoring extremist groups who announced more protests and even asked people to show up armed. Officials are working hard to stop further violence and calm tensions.
This shocking case shows how dangerous fake videos and online lies can be. The Spanish government hopes the truth will help stop the violence and bring people together, instead of dividing them.