Ione Belarra denounces racism in the marches for Ceuta and accuses President Sánchez of "protecting Morocco"

Ione Belarra has fully entered the political battle opened by the demonstrations in support of Ceuta. The general secretary of Podemos accused this Tuesday the right and the far-right of taking advantage of the migratory crisis to fuel racism and rejected the call promoted by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP).

"It bothers them that those who arrive are black and Moorish people," she stated during a press conference in the Congress of Deputies. Belarra compared the rejection caused by the entries from Morocco with the reception offered to 350,000 Ukrainian refugees, a figure cited by the leader herself, and to thousands of Venezuelans. "Then they didn't say a word," she reproached.

The FEMP has called on the 8,132 Spanish city councils to gather this Wednesday, Ceuta Day, at 8:00 p.m. Its president, María José García-Pelayo, leader of the Popular Party and mayor of Jerez, presents the initiative as an act of "humanity and solidarity" placed "above political colors." PSOE, Izquierda Unida and other progressive formations question that the call was agreed without consensus and denounce its partisan use by PP and Vox.

Podemos will support the anti-racist mobilizations called at the same time in different cities, among them the one planned in Callao square in Madrid. Belarra has recovered the spirit of 'Welcome refugees' and has asked those who mobilized for the Syrian population to take to the streets again against the advance of xenophobic discourses.

A direct attack on Sánchez

The Podemos leader has extended her criticism to the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, to whom she attributes "controlled inaction" to prolong the humanitarian emergency. In her opinion, the situation could be alleviated in 24 or 48 hours by sending more care teams and transferring migrants to the Peninsula to decongest Ceuta's services.

Her words come on the same day that the Council of Ministers has approved an extraordinary plan of 309 million euros. The package includes aid to companies, security reinforcements, new reception resources and funds for the public services of the autonomous city.

Belarra believes that Sánchez is trying to open a controversy with Felipe VI by announcing his future visit to Ceuta and Melilla to divert attention from the management carried out during the last month. She also accuses the Executive of "protecting" the Moroccan government by ruling out its responsibility for the massive entry recorded on July 30 and 31.

The leader of Podemos has also denounced the existence of "authentic hunts" against migrants and activists in Ceuta and has accused certain communicators of acting as "media vultures." This Thursday, the 3rd, she will demand that Sánchez explain to Congress whether Morocco is exerting any type of pressure or threat on Spain. "Tell us the truth and let's all go together against those threats," she urged.