Author: Spain Updates

The political landscape in Andalusia ahead of the upcoming regional elections on May 17 has gained a new and unconventional player. The Andalusi Party, a political formation running in regional elections for the first time, has emerged in the province of Cádiz with a platform that includes the “normalization of Arabic in Andalusia,” which it considers a “historical language.” Hundreds of Moroccans Queue Outside Spanish Consulate in Almería to Apply for Naturalization The party defines its political project as inspired by “Islamic humanism” and states that it is grounded in the ideas of Blas Infante, a key historical figure in Andalusian nationalism. This connection is not merely ideological: one of its founders is Alejandro Delmás Infante, the grandson of the Andalusian leader. A Political Proposal with Its Own Identity Founded three years ago in Algeciras, the Andalusi Party presents itself as a “gender-equal, democratic, participatory, and progressive” organization. Its lead candidate for Cádiz is Dris Mohamed Amar, one of the main driving forces behind the project. Although its electoral experience is limited—in the 2023 municipal elections it received 327 votes (0.77%)—its program has sparked debate due to specific proposals such as the construction of Islamic cemeteries, special public lighting during Ramadan, and the use of public spaces for the celebration of Eid al-Adha (the Festival of the Sacrifice). These initiatives are part of a broader strategy aimed, according to the party, at recognizing and making visible the Andalusian cultural heritage within the region. Ceuta and Melilla Within an “Andalusian Autonomy” Beyond cultural matters, the party’s platform includes proposals with significant political implications. Among them is the intention to incorporate Ceuta and Melilla into Andalusia, under the premise of restoring sovereignty over what they describe as the “Andalusian Nation” on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar. The party advocates for the “liberation of Andalusia” through the creation of its own political power, which, according to its ideology, would overcome economic dependence, political subordination, and cultural alienation. Criticism of Historical Narratives and Andalusian IdentitynAnother central aspect of the Andalusi Party’s discourse is its criticism of what it considers the “misappropriation” of Andalusian heritage by other countries, particularly Morocco. The party argues that this culture truly developed in Andalusia and therefore promotes a distinct identity that is not defined exclusively as Spanish or Moroccan, but rather as “Andalusian.” A New Actor in a Fragmented Political Landscape The Andalusi Party is running only in the province of Cádiz, where it will compete with 16 other lists for 15 seats. In a political context shaped by issues such as drug trafficking and the situation of Gibraltar, its emergence introduces a distinctive element into the electoral debate.nWhile some sectors, including representatives of VOX, have strongly criticized its proposals as an attempt at “Islamization,” the party’s supporters argue that their project seeks to recover a forgotten cultural identity. Two Moroccan Men Paralyze Public Bus for 30 Minutes in Valencia After Assaulting Driver The results of the May 17 election will determine whether this proposal resonates with voters in Cádiz or remains a marginal force within Andalusia’s complex political landscape.

MADRID – The popular accusation brought by the conservative organization Hazte Oír has formally requested a total of 24 years in prison for Begoña Gómez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.nIn its indictment, to which local news agencies have had access, Hazte Oír accuses Gómez of four crimes for which she has already been charged by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado: influence peddling, corruption in business, embezzlement of public funds, and misappropriation. Spanish Judge Proposes Trial for Begoña Gómez, Wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, on Four Corruption Charges The organization is also seeking 22 years in prison for Cristina Álvarez, Gómez’s former advisor at Moncloa who allegedly worked as her personal assistant while being paid with public funds. For businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés, the accusation requests 6 years in prison for his alleged involvement in influence peddling and business corruption. Key Requests in the Indictment Hazte Oír has asked the court to summon Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez as a witness, arguing that his testimony is relevant regarding “his relationship with the accused and the use of the Moncloa presidential complex as a relational space for the project.” The organization also proposes that the three defendants be required to post a sufficient bail to cover potential fines and legal costs. Additionally, it requests precautionary measures including a ban on leaving Spanish territory without judicial authorization, the withdrawal of their passports, and the obligation to sign in at court every two weeks, citing “an evident and well-founded risk of flight.” The Accusation’s Argument According to Hazte Oír’s indictment, Begoña Gómez’s professional career before her husband became Prime Minister was linked to the private sector in marketing, consulting, and fundraising. However, from June 2018 onward, “the accused, fully aware and voluntarily, made a radical change in her trajectory.” The document claims that once Pedro Sánchez assumed the presidency, Gómez’s institutional profile and influence grew significantly, giving her privileged access to senior officials and major companies. The accusation alleges she consciously leveraged her position as the Prime Minister’s wife to obtain advantages. Regarding Cristina Álvarez’s hiring at Moncloa, Hazte Oír maintains that Gómez “voluntarily, freely, and consciously influenced public officials” to appoint Álvarez as temporary staff, exerting “effective moral pressure” due to her personal relationship with the Prime Minister. The organization argues that Álvarez lacked the necessary qualifications and experience for the role. The accusation clarifies, however, that Álvarez’s regular duties were carried out at the Moncloa Palace and did not include managing Gómez’s private, business, or university agenda. Next Steps Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has already proposed trying Begoña Gómez and the other two defendants. The parties now have five days to submit their provisional conclusions before the case potentially moves to an oral trial before a popular jury. Corruption scandals have Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cornered The case remains one of the most politically sensitive judicial proceedings in recent Spanish history.

VALENCIA – Long queues of immigrants formed from the early hours of the morning outside Valencia City Hall on Thursday as the government’s controversial mass regularization process officially got underway. Major Computer Failure Paralyzes Police Background Checks for Spain’s Mass Migrant Regularization Dozens of people, many of them from North African countries, waited in long lines hoping to submit their paperwork for the extraordinary regularization program approved by the Pedro Sánchez government.nHowever, what was expected to be an organized start quickly turned into scenes of chaos and frustration. After waiting for several hours, many applicants were informed that a system failure had occurred, preventing them from completing their applications. According to witnesses and those present, officials told the crowd that the computer system had collapsed and that they would have to return on Monday to continue the process. The scenes of long queues and people being turned away have sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning the government’s preparedness for a regularization program that is expected to process hundreds of thousands of applications nationwide. This technical breakdown comes only days after reports emerged of a two-month-long computer failure in the police background-check system used for foreign residency applications, which has already forced officers to carry out thousands of manual checks. The mass regularization process, promoted by the Sánchez government and supported by left-wing parties, has been highly controversial. Critics argue that it risks becoming a “call effect” for irregular migration and that proper security checks are not being adequately performed due to the overwhelming volume and technical problems. Hundreds of Moroccans Queue Outside Spanish Consulate in Almería to Apply for Naturalization Valencia City Hall has not yet issued an official statement regarding Thursday’s incidents.

VALENCIA – A public bus in Valencia was brought to a complete halt for approximately 30 minutes after two Moroccan men allegedly assaulted the driver and refused to let the vehicle continue its route.nThe incident, which occurred at the end of March 2026, was widely shared on social media through videos and eyewitness accounts, generating significant concern among passengers and local authorities regarding safety on the city’s public transport system. Two Moroccan Men Arrested for Brutally Beating an 87-Year-Old Man in Vitoria According to the reports, the two men boarded the urban bus and became aggressive when asked to pay the fare or comply with the driver’s instructions. The situation quickly escalated into a physical confrontation with the driver. The aggressors then blocked the bus doors and prevented it from moving, effectively paralyzing the service for around half an hour in the middle of a busy city route. Other passengers were forced to remain inside the vehicle during the disturbance, causing fear and inconvenience. The standoff only ended when police officers arrived at the scene and intervened. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Policía 24h (@policia24h) Videos circulating online clearly show the confrontation and the bus standing still with its doors blocked, while several passengers can be seen looking visibly distressed. Local authorities have confirmed they are reviewing the footage and investigating the incident. The event has once again highlighted growing concerns over safety and order on Valencia’s public transport network, with many residents calling for stronger measures to protect both drivers and passengers. Moroccan Immigrant Arrested in Bilbao After Stabbing Man Three Times During Argument at a Bingo Hall This is not the first reported case of aggression toward bus drivers in the city in recent months.

BADAJOZ – A young girl was injured after being struck by a stray bullet in the playground of her school in Badajoz on Tuesday. 11-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Stabbed in Villanueva de la Cañada The incident occurred at the San José de Calasanz school while the girl was outside participating in regular school activities. She was hit in the leg by a projectile of unknown origin. It remains unclear whether the shot was fired directly at her or if she was struck by a ricochet.nThe National Police have launched an investigation into the shooting.nThe girl was immediately taken to hospital for medical evaluation. According to the Extremadura Health Service (SES), she is being treated at the University Hospital of Badajoz. Her condition is stable and her prognosis is favorable. Context of Recent Violence The shooting has raised serious concern in Badajoz, as it comes amid a recent wave of gun violence in the city. In the past few weeks, several shootouts linked to rival clans have been reported in different neighborhoods. Moroccan Immigrant Arrested in Mallorca for Brutally Beating a 12-Year-Old Boy Local residents and authorities have expressed alarm over the increasing presence of firearms and the potential danger this poses to innocent civilians, especially children in educational settings.nThe National Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident to determine the origin of the shot and identify those responsible.

BARCELONA – A serious computer system failure has left Spain’s police unable to automatically filter criminal records for foreigners for the past two months, forcing officers to carry out thousands of manual checks every day. Spain Launches Extraordinary Migrant Regularization Process This Thursday The technical glitch, which began on December 10, affects the automated system used by the National Police to quickly discard residency applications from individuals with criminal records. As a result, officers must now manually verify every single application against national and regional police databases. The Unified Police Syndicate (SUP) issued a public warning on Tuesday, urging the government to resolve the problem urgently.nOverwhelmed System Amid Mass RegularizationnThe failure comes at a critical moment, as the Pedro Sánchez government prepares to roll out one of the most lenient mass regularization programs in Spain’s recent history. The extraordinary regularization process, expected to benefit hundreds of thousands of irregular migrants, has already triggered a massive influx of applications and widespread reports of fraud. According to the SUP, before the system failure, specialized units typically handled between 100 and 200 background checks per day. That figure has now skyrocketed to between 1,000 and 2,000 daily checks in many provinces. In Barcelona alone, the backlog of pending cases has reached nearly 30,000, despite officers processing over 10,000 urgent files through extraordinary efforts. SUP spokesperson Ana María Alarcón emphasized that these manual verifications are not simple administrative tasks but essential security checks directly linked to public safety. “Police are ensuring that no application is approved without proper verification,” she said. “However, this structural overload is clearly affecting processing times.” 🔴 ESTO ES MUY GRAVE ¡Se confirma el escándalo y ya es portada! Lo cuenta @JosemaVallejo en #Horizonte con @navedelmisterio:La base de datos del CETSE de El Escorial lleva caída desde el 10 de diciembre de 2025. No filtra antecedentes. No permite comprobar historiales. No se… pic.twitter.com/6bVOWzOP63— Policía S.XXI  (@PoliciaSXXI) February 14, 2026 Serious Security Risks The union warns that if the massive regularization process moves forward without the automated system being fully operational, it could lead to significant delays, increased pressure on police units, and a higher risk of dangerous individuals slipping through the system.nAlarcón stressed that manual checks maintain the same level of rigor, but they require far more time and human resources. Without adequate reinforcements, the entire process slows down considerably. The SUP is demanding: • An urgent technical fix for the automated filtering system • Extraordinary reinforcement of police personnel while the failure persists • Structural strengthening of the police IT services • A realistic contingency plan to prevent future collapses • A proper assessment of the impact this failure may have on the extraordinary regularization process Hundreds of Moroccans Queue Outside Spanish Consulate in Almería to Apply for Naturalization “The security of the rule of law and citizen security must go hand in hand,” the union concluded. “Any large-scale administrative process requires robust computer systems and adequately staffed teams.”nThis technical breakdown has dramatically increased the workload on police units across the country and threatens to compromise the deadlines and security standards of the government’s ambitious migrant regularization plan if urgent measures are not taken.

BARCELONA – A man is in serious condition after being shot in the middle of the day on a public street in the Sant Martí district of Barcelona. The shooting occurred around 3:50 PM on Passeig Taulat, near Diagonal Mar Park. According to police sources, the victim was shot while sitting on the terrace of a restaurant. Mossos d’Esquadra officers were quickly dispatched to the scene after receiving emergency calls. They confirmed that a firearm had been used. The wounded man was immediately treated by emergency services and rushed to hospital, where he remains in serious condition. Eyewitness Account A local resident who was on her balcony at the time of the shooting described the dramatic scene. She stated that the attack took place on the terrace of a restaurant where several tables were occupied by customers. “When the shots rang out, people started running in panic,” she said. The witness rushed downstairs to help the injured man and provide first aid until paramedics arrived. She added that the attackers were a group of several individuals with their faces covered. They arrived on foot, carried out the shooting, and then fled the scene running. Investigation Underway The Catalan police (Mossos d’Esquadra) have launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators and determine the motive behind the shooting. So far, no arrests have been reported.nThis incident has caused alarm in the neighborhood, as it represents yet another episode of gun violence occurring in broad daylight in a busy public area of Barcelona.

VITORIA – Two young Moroccan men, aged 19 and 21, have been arrested by the Basque police (Ertzaintza) after allegedly assaulting and attempting to rob an 87-year-old man in the city of Vitoria. Moroccan Immigrant Arrested in Bilbao After Stabbing Man Three Times During Argument at a Bingo Hall According to reports, the suspects approached the elderly victim with the intention of stealing his belongings. During the violent assault, the 87-year-old man suffered significant injuries that required his immediate transfer to hospital. The rapid response by the Ertzaintza enabled officers to locate and arrest the two suspects shortly after the attack. An investigation has been opened to fully clarify the circumstances of the incident and determine the exact charges. While detailed information about the victim’s current medical condition has not been released, sources indicate that his injuries were serious enough to require hospitalization. Ratas cobardes y sí, otra vez magrebíes, como ya es costumbre…Detenidos en Vitoria dos magrebíes de 19 y 21 años tras asaltar e intentar robar a un anciano de 87 años que tuvo que ser trasladado al hospital https://t.co/s9wqo4pjG6 vía @gaceta_es— Laura 💚💙🇪🇸 (@cid_lauri) April 13, 2026 Growing Concern Over Elderly Safety This latest case has once again highlighted the vulnerability of elderly citizens to violent street crime, particularly in urban areas where seniors can become easy targets for aggressors. Local authorities and police forces have stressed the need to strengthen prevention measures and increase surveillance in order to protect vulnerable members of the community and prevent similar attacks in the future.

BILBAO – A 23-year-old Moroccan man has been arrested by the Basque police (Ertzaintza) after allegedly stabbing another man three times during a violent argument inside a bingo hall in central Bilbao.nThe incident occurred on Thursday, April 9, shortly after 10:00 PM. Moroccan Immigrant Arrested in Mallorca for Brutally Beating a 12-Year-Old Boy According to police reports, two men of Maghrebi origin began arguing and physically fighting inside the bingo premises. The confrontation quickly spilled outside, where one of the men pulled out a knife and stabbed the other three times — twice in the back and once in the abdomen, with the abdominal wound being the most serious. The 31-year-old victim collapsed to the ground and was found bleeding heavily by officers who responded to multiple emergency calls. Police officers provided first aid by applying pressure to the wounds until paramedics arrived. The victim was stabilized and rushed in serious condition to Cruces University Hospital, where he remains hospitalized. His condition is now stable and his life is not in danger. Detenido en Bilbao un magrebí de 23 años, por intentar matar a otro tras asestarle tres puñaladas y golpearle después de una discusión en un bingo https://t.co/EyoAYmiCo1 vía @gaceta_es— Afrvet (@afrvet) April 13, 2026 Investigation and Arrest A witness identified the alleged attacker to police, but he had already fled the scene. Officers recovered a blood-stained knife near a rubbish container close to the location of the attack. The following day, on Friday evening, investigation officers located the suspect in Bilbao’s Old Town (Casco Viejo). When approached by police, the man was carrying a screwdriver and had blood on his clothing. He was immediately arrested and charged with attempted murder. The suspect, a 23-year-old man of Moroccan origin with a prior criminal record, was taken into custody for formal procedures and will be brought before a judge in the coming hours. Moroccan Immigrant Arrested After Attacking Several Neighbors with an Axe in Granada Background This latest violent incident has once again raised concerns about street safety and integration issues in Bilbao, particularly in the city center and nightlife areas.