Spain Today has investigated the hidden financial networks of organised crime. Our team tracked hawala, an ancient, informal money transfer system that bypasses conventional banking to move billions of euros annually across borders. While millions of people rely on hawala to send vital, low-cost remittances to families in crisis zones—such as Gaza, where banks are non-existent—it has become a critical "crime-as-a-service" backbone for money laundering, tax evasion, and terrorism. Key cases include a massive European network named "The Merchants of Great Europe," which traded hundreds of millions of euros, and police operations against networks funding Daesh or using Chinese cryptocurrency exchanges to launder human-smuggling profits. Large clearing hubs located outside the EU, like Turkey and the UAE, present a major challenge to European law enforcement.The ongoing migration crisis in Ceuta has triggered severe social and economic fallout. One month after a mass entry of migrants, disinformation and hate speech have surged on social media. A study revealed that 40% of analysed social media posts sought to dehumanise migrants, heavily fueled by viral, out-of-context videos from Turkey and France falsely presented as "invasions" or riots in Ceuta. This digital hostility has translated into physical violence on the ground; on 27 August, protestors destroyed a migrant camp on Benítez beach, blocked humanitarian aid deliveries, and harassed working journalists.Economically, Ceuta's business community is in a critical state. The local Chamber of Commerce has reported over €33 million in direct losses, a 19% increase from initial estimates. Retail sales dropped by an average of 53%, and hospitality revenues plummeted by 50.7%. Local festivals, such as the Ceuta Fair, were cancelled due to security concerns, keeping residents at home. On the beaches, some of the remaining 5,000 migrants have set up informal street markets to sell basic goods and offer services like barbering to survive.Meanwhile, Spain prepares for the 2026-2027 school term. The return to classrooms begins in early September, led by early childhood education in Andalusia on 3 September and primary pupils in Navarre on 4 September. Most other regions, including Madrid, Catalonia, and the Valencian Community, will stagger their restarts between 7 and 10 September.

Spain Today reports on the following key developments:Political Clash and Tensions Over the Ceuta Migrant CrisisFollowing the arrival of thousands of migrants in Ceuta on 30 and 31 July, political friction has intensified. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the Popular Party (PP), has demanded that the director of the National Intelligence Centre (CNI), Esperanza Casteleiro, appear in the Senate to clarify what the Government knew about the crisis. The PP also plans to enter the judicial cause opened in the Audiencia Nacional to investigate the crisis. Feijóo accused the Government of abandoning Ceuta and leaving military personnel overwhelmed without legal backing or means to defend themselves. Conversely, the Socialist Party (PSOE) countered that the Senate's governing body—which has a PP majority—had already rejected this request because, by law, the CNI director can only appear before the Congress's Official Secrets Commission. On the ground, Health Minister Mónica García announced that 3,800 of the estimated 5,000 migrants remaining in the city are now in temporary reception spaces, with full rehousing expected within two to three weeks. García attributed the initial slow response to "indolence" from the local Ceuta government during the first two weeks. She characterized the July influx as an "attempt to destabilize" Spain, highlighting Moroccan responsibility and links to global far-right movements. Meanwhile, social tensions remain high; a planned demonstration in Ceuta was cancelled by organizers due to the arrival of "ultra groups". This follows recent violence, including the destruction of migrant shelters on Benítez beach and a stone-throwing attack that injured four military personnel.Protest in Palma Against Tourism OvercrowdingIn Palma, Mallorca, approximately 1,000 people gathered for the fourth protest this summer to denounce tourism massification and demand measures to protect the residents' quality of life. Local environmental and citizen groups argued that Mallorca "does not have room for more tourists". Protesters voiced severe frustration over exorbitant prices, depleted natural resources, and a lack of affordable housing that has forced some local families to live in caravans. They urged political parties to reach consensus and deploy immediate structural actions rather than launching more studies.Severe Roller Coaster Accident at Parque WarnerA 49-year-old man was "potentially seriously" injured on Saturday during an accident on the Batman Gotham City Escape roller coaster at Parque Warner in Madrid. The victim suffered an open fracture in his left leg and a closed fracture in his right leg, requiring emergency stabilisation and helicopter evacuation to the 12 de Octubre University Hospital. The park authorities immediately halted the coaster, evacuated the area, and closed nearby shops and restaurants while a coordinated investigation is underway. The €20 million high-speed steel attraction remains closed.37

Here is today's roundup of the key stories from Spain Today:Ceuta Border Crisis & Sovereign DefenseSpain's Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, has firmly defended the Spanish and European sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla. Speaking in Congress, he attributed the recent migration crisis in Ceuta to disinformation and hoaxes regarding a Supreme Court ruling on migrant returns, which were spread by traffickers and individual actors in Africa. Albares emphasized daily diplomatic coordination with Morocco, which enabled the return of 90% of irregular crossers within 48 hours and blocked a planned mass crossing on 15 August. Despite this, opposition parties heavily criticized the government; the PP accused it of dependency on Morocco and lack of border control, Vox alleged "submission", and some parliamentary allies urged greater firmness towards Morocco.Spain Requests EU Assistance for Migrant TriageInterior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has formally requested European Union assistance from Frontex, Europol, and the EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA) to manage the situation in Ceuta. Following the arrival of 72,000 migrants in late July, Spain wants European support to process and identify about 5,000 irregular migrants currently in the city. Specifically, Spain has asked to extend Operation Minerva at the ports of Ceuta, Tarifa, and Algeciras, add ten Frontex agents for triage, secure EUAA translation and interview support, utilize Frontex to execute returns to countries of origin, and maintain satellite monitoring and the Duque de Ahumada vessel through 2027.Inflation Rises to 4.3%Spain's inflation rate has soared to 4.3% in August, its highest level in more than three years, driven by a 17% spike in energy costs. The surge is heavily influenced by rising fuel prices resulting from the conflict in the Middle East and the war in Iran. Meanwhile, core inflation moderated slightly to 2.9%. To alleviate the impact, the government will implement fuel tax reductions on 1 September, offering a discount of 20 cents per litre on diesel and 5 cents on petrol.New Flexible Retirement Rules Enter into ForceOn 28 August, new flexible retirement regulations (Royal Decree 416/2026) came into effect to facilitate retirees returning to work. Pensioners can now undertake part-time employment (between 33% and 80% of a full working day) while continuing to draw their pension. To encourage this, retirees can receive a pension increase of up to 25% for working larger part-time shifts (55% to 80%) or 15% for shorter shifts (33% to 54%). Crucially, certain self-employed workers (autónomos) are now eligible to join this model for the first time.

Here is today's roundup of the key stories from Spain Today:Ceuta Migration Crisis: Political Disputes and Escalating UnrestPolitical tensions have flared as ministers Felix Bolaños and Ángel Víctor Torres defended the government's handling of the July 30–31 migration crisis, during which 70,000 people crossed into Ceuta. Appearing before a parliamentary commission, Bolaños denied having "prior or precise" warnings about the sheer scale of the crossings, contradicting earlier claims by the Defence Minister. He dismissed allegations of Moroccan involvement, noting instead that bilateral diplomacy enabled the return of 90% of those who entered. Meanwhile, Torres projected a timeline of up to four months to fully restore normalisation to the autonomous city.On the ground, social unrest has intensified significantly. Local residents in Ceuta clashed with police, set fire to migrant camps on Benítez beach, and formed human chains to block Red Cross emergency food deliveries to the migrants. The situation turned violent on Wednesday night when a crowd tried to assault migrants, leading police to fire rubber bullets. Following these clashes, a group of migrants stoned a military vehicle, injuring four Spanish soldiers and resulting in twelve arrests.Devastating Wildfires in Valencia and El SalerEmergency services have ordered the preventive evacuation of the town and campsites of El Saler, Valencia, due to a fast-moving forest fire starting in the Devesa region. Changing wind directions overnight have threatened to reignite the flames, which have already scorched over 31 hectares. Around 150 residents and tourists have been relocated to temporary emergency shelters.This incident caps off one of the most severe wildfire seasons for the Valencian Community in years. Earlier this summer, the Sierra de Espadán fire devastated over 9,500 hectares, while the Sierra Calderona blazes consumed over 630 hectares. Nationally, the Minister for Ecological Transition reported that 43 major forest fires have destroyed roughly 260,000 hectares across Spain so far this year.Multi-Million Euro Bronze Age Treasure Stolen in AlicanteA daring heist has struck Spain's cultural heritage in Villena, Alicante. Thieves broke through a window at the Villena Archaeological Museum (MUVI) in a highly coordinated, minutes-long robbery. The perpetrators made off with the vast majority of the famous Tesoro de Villena, a priceless Bronze Age collection dating back to approximately 1000 BC.Valued at approximately €1.5 million based on its weight in gold, the treasure consists of 59 masterfully crafted pieces. While the thieves took most of the collection, they left behind three silver vessels, a bracelet, and parts of a sceptre's ornaments. A single crown was also recovered after the thieves dropped it in their haste. The Civil Guard has initiated an investigation using museum security footage to track down the suspects.

Spain's new political term is opening under severe strain, dominated by a massive migrant crisis in Ceuta and escalating political and judicial battles, even as the country celebrates its world-famous Tomatina festival.

The Ceuta Migrant Crisis and Political Collision

On 30 and 31 July 2026, over 70,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, triggering an unprecedented humanitarian and security emergency. Currently, around 5,000 migrants remain in the city, including at least 1,500 identified unaccompanied minors under the care of local protection services, with many more still unregistered on the streets.

To manage this situation, the Government has declared a situation of interest for national security in Ceuta, appointing Minister Ángel Víctor Torres as single command until 31 December. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to appear in Congress on 3 September to offer explanations. This follows a public dispute between Defence Minister Margarita Robles—who stated that the National Intelligence Centre (CNI) warned of the mass crossing a day prior—and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, who denied receiving any such report.

Meanwhile, regional governments are clashing over the redistribution of minors. The Vox vice-presidents of Castilla y León, Extremadura, and Aragón have rejected taking in unaccompanied minors from Ceuta, boycotting the Conferencia Sectorial and threatening judicial action. Simultaneously, the opposition Popular Party (PP) is keeping heavy pressure on Moncloa, calling for the Secrets Commission and seeking to reprove five ministers in the Senate.

The Road to 2027 and Judicial Storms

This political term is the last full course before the general, municipal, and regional elections slated for 2027. Beyond the immediate crisis, the Government faces the massive challenge of passing the 2027 State Budgets after previous stability path proposals were rejected in Congress.

At the same time, multiple judicial cases continue to surround the administration. These include the "caso Leire" involving allegations of obstruction, the ongoing case against Begoña Gómez (Sánchez's wife), and the recent 24-year prison sentence handed to former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos in the Koldo case. Additionally, Sánchez's brother, David Sánchez, was recently sentenced to 9 years of ineligibility for public office.

A Splash of Red: La Tomatina 2026

In contrast to the political gridlock, the streets of Buñol, Valencia, turned completely red on Wednesday for the 79th edition of the Tomatina. Around 22,000 participants from all over the world threw over 150,000 kilos of non-consumable, highly acidic tomatoes grown specifically for the battle in Badajoz. This international tourist event, which originated from a spontaneous youth brawl in 1945, required a 15-euro entry ticket and concluded with local cleaning brigades rapidly restoring the town to its normal state.

Here is your daily news digest from Spain Today for Wednesday, 26 August 2026:New Registry Approved to Regulate LobbyistsThe Spanish Council of Ministers has approved a Royal Decree-law to establish a public, electronic, and mandatory registry for interest groups to monitor lobbying within state administration. Managed by the Council for Transparency and Good Governance, the body will supervise activities and impose sanctions. This executive action comes after a specific draft law became blocked in Congress; the decree-law must now be ratified by the Lower House within 30 days.The regulation targets individuals, businesses, NGOs, and platforms attempting to influence public decisions. For the first time, public officials including directors general, advisors, and temporary staff must publish all meetings with registered groups within one month. The registry will detail identity, funding, and any staff who held public office in the preceding five years, aligning Spain with EU, OECD, and GRECO transparency standards.Wildfire Triggers Confinements in BarcelonaA forest fire in the Collserola range has burned approximately 35 hectares, forcing authorities to confine the Barcelona neighbourhoods of Torre Baró and Ciutat Meridiana and evacuate 35 residents. The fire, which started around 15:30 on the Alta de les Roquetes road, is currently in the stabilization phase.Over 230 firefighters deployed technical fire, water, and aerial resources to contain the flames. The emergency disrupted local transit, affecting six bus lines, halting R4 Rodalies train stops at Torre Baró, and closing several roads. This is the area's second fire this summer, following an incident on 14 August.Weather: Storms in the Northwest, High Heat in the EastAn Atlantic front will bring heavy cloud cover, strong winds, and violent hailstorms to western Galicia, with showers spreading across the Cantabrian coast and Pyrenees. Conversely, the Mediterranean and southern regions remain stable and clear, though suspended dust may cause light mud rain. Temperatures are rising sharply, with highs exceeding 35°C in the Ebro valley, Valencia, and Segura.Vuelta a España: Pogacar Seizes Command in Stage 4Tadej Pogacar (UAE) took a massive lead in the Vuelta a España after a spectacular 50km solo breakaway in Andorra, winning Stage 4 by 2 minutes and 39 seconds over the chasing pack. Following the cancellation of Stage 3 due to a hailstorm, Stage 4 covered an explosive 104km route. Pogacar attacked on the Collada de Beixalis climb and rode solo to victory in Andorra la Vella.He now leads the general classification by 3:21 over Primoz Roglic and 3:32 over Spain's Enric Mas. The race heads next to Tarragona for a 173km stage between Falset and Roquetes.

Following the major migration crisis in Ceuta on 30–31 July 2026, where between 70,000 and 80,000 migrants entered the Spanish autonomous city, the Spanish Government has taken significant legal, security, and diplomatic measures:

**Legal Reforms and Border Procedures**

The Council of Ministers approved a draft bill for a new Asylum Law and a reform of the Foreigners Law (*Ley de Extranjería*) to align Spanish law with the European Pact on Migration and Asylum.

* **Asylum Law**: Streamlines applications with an **"accelerated" procedure** (to be resolved in a maximum of 3 months) and a **"border" procedure** (maximum of 12 weeks) before formal entry is authorized. Minors will only exceptionally face border procedures. It also formally incorporates gender, identity, and disability-based persecution.

* **Foreigners Law**: Introduces a mandatory **"triaje" (medical check, identification, and biometric collection)** for irregular entries. Spain has limited this process to a **maximum of 72 hours** (even though European regulations allow up to 7 days) to minimize police detention time. Repatriations must be completed within 12 weeks.

**National Security Declaration and "Mando Único"**

The government declared a **"situation of interest for national security"** in Ceuta. A single command (*mando único*) led by Minister Ángel Víctor Torres has been established to coordinate the recovery.

* The **"second phase"** focuses on legal, rights-respecting repatriations of both adults and minors.

* To support this, the government approved **€25 million for minor care**, expanded Ceuta's Socioeconomic Development Plan (originally €180 million), and established emergency temporary accommodation.

Intelligence Controversy and Political Explanations

A discrepancy has emerged within the Spanish Cabinet regarding intelligence warnings:

* Defense Minister Margarita Robles asserted that the National Intelligence Centre (CNI) successfully warned authorities on 29 July of online calls to "swim into" Ceuta.

* Conversely, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska denied receiving any such report.

Robles and seven other ministers are presenting explanations in Congress, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also scheduled to appear.

**Diplomatic Tensions with Morocco**

During King Mohamed VI's first public appearance since the crisis, Moroccan Minister of Religious Affairs Ahmed Toufiq referred to a "holy struggle" to "liberate" Ceuta and Melilla. Additionally, Morocco's Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi claimed "historical and geographical rights" over the cities. Spain’s government spokesperson Elma Saiz and Minister Robles firmly rejected these claims, reiterating that **"Ceuta and Melilla are Spain"** and form Europe's southern border.

International Crisis in the Strait of Hormuz

• Trump Suspends Strikes: President Donald Trump has ordered a five-day postponement of planned military strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure following what he described as "productive conversations" between Washington and Tehran. This 120-hour truce freezes a previous 48-hour ultimatum that had placed the world on the brink of a major conflict.
• Market Impact: Following the announcement, the price of Brent crude oil plunged 13%, dropping to $99.11 per barrel as investors felt relieved by the potential for a ceasefire.
• Global Reactions: Russia and China have reacted with caution, arguing that a five-day pause is merely a "tactical move" and that a permanent ceasefire and political solution are necessary to prevent a global energy collapse.
• Spanish Government Response: President Pedro Sánchez has demanded the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz to prevent a "long-term energy crisis for all humanity". Spain has already activated a 5 billion euro plan to mitigate the economic impact of the conflict on energy and housing.

• Senate Hearing on Power Outage: The Minister for Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, testified regarding the April 28 power outage, stating that "with existing mechanisms," the blackout "should not have occurred". She maintained there were no prior alerts or warnings and attributed the failure to either a lack of programming, equipment not performing as expected, or a combination of both. Aagesen also called for greater transparency, urging electric companies to make all information regarding the incident public.
• Airbnb Judicial Ruling: The Superior Court of Justice of Madrid (TSJM) has rejected Airbnb’s request to pause a 64 million euro fine imposed for consumer protection violations. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs identified over 65,000 listings without proper licenses and cited the platform for "unfair commercial practices" and obstructing inspections. Airbnb must now pay the fine while waiting for a final sentence

Spain Today News - 18th November 2025

Alberto Núñez Feijóo presented proposals focused on combating the "precariedad vital" (vital precarity) and "precariedad emocional" (emotional precarity) affecting young people. To address the housing crisis, where prices have more than doubled salaries in seven years, he proposes a massive construction plan to build hundreds of thousands of homes annually, noting that 650,000 were built yearly in 2006-2008. Housing measures include recovering the "cuenta ahorro vivienda" (housing savings account) with an IRPF deduction, and suggesting a reduction in housing VAT from 10% to 4% for those under 35, deferred over 15 to 20 years. He also highlighted the high incidence of youth temporary employment (66%) and part-time work (39%).

Regarding "precariedad emocional," he noted that 6.5% of young people (12 to 20 years old) have attempted suicide. His digital plan proposes mandatory age verification, absolute nightly blocks on application use, prohibiting access to social media for minors under 16, and limiting addictive scrolling.

In judicial news, the Supreme Court judge Leopoldo Puente lifted the partial secrecy surrounding the investigation into the alleged public works rigging (amaños de obra pública) led by Cerdán. The judge indicted three directors linked to Acciona, including former director Justo Vicente Pelegrini. The investigation focuses on alleged illegal commissions received in exchange for public works contracts during the time José Luis Ábalos was Minister of Transport, and Acciona is close to being indicted as a legal entity.

Ukrainian President Volodímir Zelenski visited the Congress of Deputies in his third trip to Spain to seek additional military support. He met with King Felipe VI and will meet with Pedro Sánchez. Spain confirmed its "long-term" commitment, having previously committed $1 billion in 2024, potentially reaching $5 billion by 2027. The visit occurs as Russia advances on the southeastern front and amid a domestic corruption scandal (Case Midas) in Ukraine.

Finally, the Spanish Council of Ministers approved a new economic framework ("cuadro económico"). A key novelty is the inclusion of variables like inequality and poverty reduction, aiming to translate macro growth into improvements for citizens. The Government forecasts sustained GDP growth above 2% until 2028, revising the 2025 forecast upward to 2.9%. This sustained growth, driven by domestic demand, is expected to reduce the unemployment rate (tasa de paro) to 9% by 2028, nearing levels prior to the financial crisis. The Council also approved a 2026 spending ceiling of 212,026 million euros.

The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture ordered the confinement of all outdoor poultry farms starting Thursday to prevent avian flu, citing the notable increase in outbreaks across Central and Northern Europe and the risk posed by migratory birds heading toward Spain.France authorized the extradition of former ETA leaders Juan Antonio Olarra Guridi, Ainhoa Múgica Goñi, and Javier García Gaztelu, 'Txapote,' to Spain. They will be tried for the 2001 murder of Army Lieutenant Colonel Pedro Antonio Blanco. Txapote also faces judgment for a 1996 car bomb attack in San Sebastián.The sources also detail "early exhumations" (beginning during the Transition period) of Civil War and Francoism victims. These efforts were led by family members and neighbors (such as Felisa Casatejada in 1978) who sought a dignified burial for their loved ones, often facing threats and harassment. This movement, which included the 'operación retorno' in Navarra/La Rioja and 'exhumaciones al alba' in Extremadura, is considered the precursor to current democratic memory efforts. A new phase began in October 2000 with the professional exhumation promoted by Emilio Silva in Priaranza del Bierzo, leading to the creation of the ARMH and adopting a human rights focus. Over 17,000 bodies have been recovered since 2000.Politically, the Sánchez government anticipates a temporary relief from the pressure exerted by Junts due to the upcoming parliamentary recess extending until early 2026. Although Junts has declared the "relationship is over," they are expected to approve certain previously negotiated laws. However, the government faces immediate vulnerability if Junts aligns with the PP to pass an amendment favoring the prolongation of nuclear power plant lifespans.