Anti-Immigrant Unrest in Spain: Arrests Following Riots in Torre Pacheco

Protests in Torre Pacheco escalated into violence against local immigrant communities, leading to multiple arrests and the capture of a prominent anti-immigrant leader.

The police in Spain announced the arrest of C.L.F., the leader of the anti-immigrant group Deport Them Now, in connection with a surge of violence targeting immigrants in the town of Torre Pacheco. This southeastern town, known for hosting a large North African community, saw days of escalating unrest that culminated in attacks on local businesses over a series of violent nights. Authorities took action on Monday against the leader after accusing him of inciting violence through the dissemination of extremist messages on the Telegram app, a platform he used to rally supporters.

In response to the chaos, law enforcement officials deployed riot police in anticipation of further disturbances. The riots marked significant unrest in Spain amid the liberal government's longstanding efforts to ease immigration laws, enabling undocumented individuals to more easily gain legal status. Disturbances plagued the town, engulfing businesses owned by Moroccan residents, including eateries and grocery stores, with rioters vandalizing and attacking them. The situation drew attention as the unrest was fueled by external far-right groups that converged in Torre Pacheco, resulting in numerous arrests.

In an additional development, prosecutors are looking into the role of José Ángel Antelo, the regional leader of the far-right political party Vox, who allegedly contributed to the hostility through inflammatory rhetoric targeting the country’s immigration policies. Antelo, a former professional basketball player, capitalized on anti-immigrant sentiment during his election campaign, drawing scrutiny for his possible ties to the ongoing violence.