The ongoing unrest in Torre Pacheco, Murcia, is reaching a critical point. After three days of intense clashes between Maghrebi residents, town inhabitants, and far-right groups mobilized by calls on social media, the municipality resembles a high-security zone. With around one hundred Guardia Civil agents deployed, police presence has been massively reinforced, with further reinforcements expected, especially in light of the announced “hunt” for immigrants set to begin this Tuesday. The situation in the Murcian town remains extremely tense.
Ten Arrests: Investigations Intensified After Attack on 68-Year-Old Man
The Guardia Civil reported the arrest of four more individuals on Monday, bringing the total number of detainees since the beginning of the confrontations to ten. One of these recent arrests is directly linked to the attack on a kebab shop on Sunday. Two other detainees are Moroccan nationals from outside the town, accused of facilitating the cover-up of the brutal assault on a 68-year-old man last Wednesday. This incident, where the victim was savagely beaten, is considered the trigger for the current unrest. The third individual, also connected to these events, was arrested in Rentería, Guipúzcoa, as he apparently attempted to flee to France. The police operation is still ongoing, and further arrests are not ruled out, both in connection with the attack on the man and the recent disturbances. Criminal police are working closely with the courts of San Javier to fully clarify the motive behind the aggression, as the victim was not robbed but only beaten.
Nightly Riots and Increased Police Presence
Tensions in Torre Pacheco continue to escalate, especially during the night. On Sunday, the unrest lasted about two hours, with bottles being thrown and urban furniture and vehicles damaged. Despite some minor injuries, the incidents were quickly brought under control by the authorities. Mayor Pedro Ángel Roca confirmed that while the town experiences some calm during the day, the disturbances increase at night. In response, the Guardia Civil has massively increased its presence: 90 agents from the Citizen Security Unit (USECIC), the Reserve and Security Group (GRS), better known as “riot police,” and citizen security patrols from Torre Pacheco and other municipalities in the Murcia region are deployed. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska announced the arrival of an additional 45 GRS agents this Tuesday, in preparation for potentially “hot days.” The Ministry of Interior assures that “the necessary agents” will be deployed and that permanent monitoring of social networks is being carried out to identify and arrest individuals and groups calling for the organization of clashes. Of particular concern is the call for a “hunt” for immigrants scheduled for July 15, 16, and 17.
Politics in the Crosshairs: Marlaska vs. Vox and Sánchez’s Appeal Against Racism
The events in Torre Pacheco have reached national politics, sparking a heated debate. Interior Minister Marlaska blames the far-right discourses and especially the speeches of Vox for the unrest, as they equate immigration with crime. He highlighted that the Guardia Civil identified over 20 vehicles attempting to enter the town center, some carrying “religious elements” like sticks. Santiago Abascal, the leader of Vox, rejected any responsibility, emphasizing that his party would “not take a step back” in its policy against illegal immigration. Instead, he accused Marlaska of being behind the increase in crime.
President Pedro Sánchez also commented on X, stating that racism is incompatible with democracy. He called for raising voices and defending the values that unite Spain. The PSOE of Murcia, meanwhile, has filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office against the leader of Vox in the region, José Ángel Antelo, for alleged incitement to hatred. Antelo had previously led an event in Torre Pacheco titled “Defend yourself against insecurity.”
Calls for Calm and Unity: The Way Out of the Crisis
The Popular Party (PP) is calling on the Interior Ministry to act immediately, lamenting a lack of “political will.” They firmly reject “hate speech” and demand an appearance by Marlaska in Congress. Sumar condemned the “racist hunts,” organized by “ultra-groups” and “applauded by Vox,” and calls for an investigation into connections with Vox’s hate speech. Podemos is also collecting evidence and announced that it will report Vox officials in Murcia who encouraged this violence to the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Party spokesman Pablo Fernández spoke of “racist terrorism.”
Mayor Pedro Ángel Roca appealed for calm, emphasizing that Torre Pacheco stands for peace, coexistence, and mutual respect. He requested that people from outside the municipality avoid traveling there to prevent further conflicts. The President of Murcia, Fernando López Miras, also thanked the security forces and called for an end to the incidents so that residents can return to normalcy. He stressed that a peaceful community should not become a battleground for radicals.
