Authorities Curtail Ethnic Unrest in Southeastern Spain
In the southeastern region of Spain, the usually peaceful town of Torre-Pacheco has been plunged into chaos over the past few days. The town, known for its rich agricultural community, has become a battleground for far-right extremism, marked by violent clashes and racist attacks primarily targeting immigrants, especially those of Moroccan origin.
The unrest was sparked by an assault on a 68-year-old local man, allegedly committed by young men of Maghrebi origin last Wednesday. This incident triggered a wave of xenophobic violence, with far-right extremists from across Spain converging on Torre-Pacheco, organizing through Telegram groups, and engaging in violent "hunts" for migrants, armed with bats and clubs.
The riots have left several people injured, over twenty arrests made, and the destruction of local immigrant businesses such as kebab restaurants. Despite the severity of the violence, neither the mainstream right-wing party (PP) nor the far-right Vox party publicly condemned the extremist attacks, suggesting a political environment that partly tolerates or fails to take a strong stance against these actions.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska blamed the far-right populist party Vox for the riots, stating that the events are a consequence of the far-right discourse. Vox leader Santiago Abascal, in response, accused the government of being behind "the rapes of Spanish women, knife attacks on Spaniards, and the violence on the streets." He called for mass deportations of illegals and the expulsion of legal migrants who commit crimes.
The mayor of Torre-Pacheco, Roca, did not assign blame for the unrest to any specific group or party. However, he emphasized that many of the affected migrants have lived in Torre-Pacheco for over 20 years, and their children were born there. Roca also highlighted that around 30% of Torre-Pacheco's residents are migrants, primarily working in agriculture.
To restore order, Spanish police have deployed around 75 Guardia Civil officers to patrol and stabilize the area. The police have prevented the entry of suspected far-right extremists and expelled some protesters, including those from Italy and Romania.
The impact on the local community is profound. Torre-Pacheco has become a battle zone marked by racial hostility and social division. The migrant community, central to local agriculture, faces harassment and violence, contributing to heightened fear and insecurity. The incidents have reignited debates nationally about immigration, political exploitation by far-right groups seeking to channel public discontent towards migrants, and the failure of authorities to decisively curb such radical activities.
Political analysts point to broader socio-economic dynamics fueling these tensions, notably a rise in public concern about immigration as a perceived problem, which far-right groups manipulate to divert attention from systemic issues like neoliberal economic policies that exacerbate inequality.
As Torre-Pacheco grapples with the aftermath of the violence, the town's mixed and diverse population, reflecting its rich history, stands united in their plea for peace and unity. The events in Torre-Pacheco serve as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked far-right extremism and the urgent need for decisive action to restore social cohesion and public safety.
[1] El País, "Torre-Pacheco se convierte en foco de la extrema derecha: violencia xenófoba y ataques a inmigrantes," 24 July 2025. [2] La Vanguardia, "Torre-Pacheco: la extrema derecha se apodera de la ciudad y se desata la violencia," 25 July 2025. [3] ABC, "Torre-Pacheco: la ciudad se convierte en escenario de violencia xenófoba," 26 July 2025. [4] El Mundo, "Torre-Pacheco: la violencia xenófoba ha causado una gran conmoción en la ciudad," 27 July 2025.
- The polarizing rhetoric surrounding immigration and general-news headlines about the clashes in Torre-Pacheco are dominated by crime-and-justice issues, as far-right extremists target immigrants and the authorities struggle to restore order.
- The events in Torre-Pacheco underscore the connection between politics and crime-and-justice matters, as the far-right Vox party's stand on immigration continues to fuel xenophobic violence and confrontations, while the mainstream right-wing party (PP) seemingly remains silent on the issue.
