Overview

• Pedro Sánchez posted on X that “Defender España es defender la vida,” offering support and recognition to Open Arms and those who save lives at sea.
• Santiago Abascal had called the vessel a “barco de negreros” and urged authorities to confiscate and sink it, later doubling down in posts directed at Minister Félix Bolaños.
• Equality Minister Ana Redondo condemned the message as inhuman, while Félix Bolaños called it hate speech and Óscar Puente labeled Abascal a fascist, with Yolanda Díaz and Sara Aagesen also criticizing his rhetoric.
• With the Open Arms ship docked in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Territorial Minister Ángel Víctor Torres emphasized that it is a humanitarian organization that rescues people at sea.
• Open Arms responded that being targeted by certain voices is a point of pride and vowed to continue working against fear and hate.