Authored by Thomas Brooke via Remix news,
The Socialist mayor of Cartes in northern Spain has changed her stance on hosting unaccompanied migrant minors after initially attempting to prevent their arrival. She issued a public apology following pressure from her party’s leadership.
Lorena Cueto, the mayor of the Cantabrian town with a population of around 6,000, initially viewed the relocation of migrant minors to her municipality as “a punishment” and issued an emergency order to stop the reception of 18 foreign minors transferred under Spain’s national redistribution system.
This action led to protests in the town and criticism from both the regional government and members of Cueto’s Socialist party, accusing her of causing public alarm and impeding a legally mandated relocation.
The conflict arose when the Cantabrian regional government, led by the center-right People’s Party (PP), proceeded with plans to establish a reception center in Cartes to relocate minors. Interestingly, this move was in compliance with the mandate issued by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government, the same Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) to which Cueto belongs.
According to Canarias7, two minors arrived at the center earlier this week, with more arrivals scheduled in the coming days.
Cueto reacted by issuing a municipal order citing alleged urban planning deficiencies at the facility and demanding an immediate halt to the arrivals.
The order reportedly threatened to seal the building and cut off water and electricity supplies if the minors were accommodated.
Cantabria’s Minister of Social Inclusion, Begoña Gómez del Río, refuted the mayor’s claims, stating that the facility had passed inspections and had the necessary licenses to operate.
She accused the mayor of trying to obstruct the process and incite tensions in the town.
“The mayor of Cartes has continuously tried to impede the reception and protection of the minors… She has caused public alarm and warned all Cantabrian municipalities to be on alert,” Del Río stated at an urgent press conference.
Regional authorities took legal action to challenge the mayor’s order.
Facing increasing criticism and pressure from higher-ups in her left-wing party, Cueto swiftly changed her position the following day, issuing an apology on social media.
She expressed regret “for everything that has transpired” and affirmed her town’s commitment to welcoming the minors “now, before, and in the future,” as reported by Democrata.
Cueto emphasized that her “utmost priority” was the protection and well-being of the children so that they could “find in our town the life opportunities they deserve.”
Pedro Casares, the general secretary of the PSOE in Cantabria, publicly admitted that the town council had “erred” and had “acted hastily,” although he indicated that the party was not considering expelling Cueto.
Earlier, Spain’s Minister for Children, Sira Rego, condemned the mayor’s position, stating that labeling the arrival of minors as a punishment or threatening to cut services was “completely unacceptable.”
“Children’s rights are not to be trifled with,” she remarked, urging the mayor to rectify the situation and abide by the law.
Local residents have continued to protest, arguing that the town lacks adequate infrastructure and services to accommodate the minors. Security concerns have also been raised, with the local police reportedly only operating until mid-afternoon, leaving evenings without local patrols.
One resident told El País, “We’re not saying they’re criminals, but this isn’t a suitable place to integrate them. They have psychological problems from so much suffering, and it’s not easy.”
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