André Ventura, speaking at an event in Madrid organized by the far-right party Vox, reiterated his condemnation of the participation of flotilla elements planning to reach Gaza, referring to “big parties” in Ibiza and Menorca, Spain, a claim that has been debunked as false by fact-checking services such as LUSA VERIFICA.
“We will continue to fight together for what we believe in, a Europe with less immigration, and thus I want to tell you here in Spain, knowing that the European press is here and the Portuguese press as well, that what you did in Murcia fills me with tremendous pride, tremendous pride as a European. Thank you, thank you, thank you for what you did,” Ventura declared.
Addressing a gathering of hundreds in a Madrid pavilion, Ventura advocated for a “Europe of values” and criticized the “flotillas to Gaza.”
“We will not sponsor flotillas to Gaza, flotilla trips while having big parties in Ibiza, in Menorca, in the Spanish islands, we will not do it,” he stated.
Chega and Liberal Initiative deputies accused the Global Sumud Flotilla activists of stopping in Ibiza or other Balearic islands for nighttime parties, but the video shared by some was recorded before the boats departed from Barcelona.
Responding to journalists’ questions at the event’s end in Madrid, André Ventura said the flotilla is “a farce, a lie, and a setup,” and that “just today” he saw “more images of parties on these boats” shared by activists on board.
“Frankly, I would like to ask whether it is important that the party is in Menorca, Ibiza, or Barcelona, or if it is important that they are partying when they should be in solidarity with the suffering people in Gaza, which is their mission,” he added.
Regarding Torre Pacheco, he told journalists that in southern Spain, and also in southern Portugal, there is a “gigantic tolerance for imported crime” and that “sometimes people and populations have to show they are not afraid of delinquent gangs.”
Asked if the crime he condemns is resolved with a “hunt for immigrants” and a call for violence, the Chega leader replied: “It is resolved by showing that we are not afraid nor will we be conditioned.”
“What happened in Murcia was important so that all those who want to come to Europe know this. Europe has always been a welcoming space, in recent decades it has been very welcoming, but there comes a time when we have to say enough and say that those who come must comply with rules and if they do not, they will be expelled,” he stated.
The disturbances and the call for a “hunt” in Torre Pacheco, where 30% of the population is immigrant or of foreign origin, arose after a 68-year-old resident was assaulted by young people without apparent reason.
At least one person was arrested and five were injured on the second consecutive night of clashes in Torre Pacheco. The issues at hand involve appeals for a “hunt” for migrants, prompted by extremist and nationalist groups, after an elderly man was assaulted by three young people of Moroccan origin on Wednesday.
Daniela Filipe | 17:38 – 13/07/2025
At today’s event in Madrid, the president of Chega also referred to the ultra-conservative American activist Charlie Kirk, who was murdered last week, as did most of the participants in the meeting organized by Vox.
“He died to defend us, died for us, for our values, and for our identity,” Ventura claimed, stating that Charlie Kirk’s death during a live broadcast “showed how violent, how murderous those who defend what the left defends can become.”
The wife of Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was murdered during a university debate on Wednesday, assured she would continue his legacy and that “nobody will forget” his name.
Daniela Filipe | 08:14 – 13/09/2025
To journalists, Ventura rejected allegations of inciting a “civilizational” or “ideological war” that has increased violence in countries like the United States, blaming some media, universities, and other institutions, which he claimed, feed narratives to which the right is responding.
The “Europa Viva 25” meeting was organized by Vox as a gathering of Patriots for Europe, which brings together radical right parties and holds the third-largest group in the European Parliament.
André Ventura was, however, among the few leaders present, with other European leaders, such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, participating via videos played in the event’s pavilion.
The meeting also showcased videos from Latin American political leaders, including Argentine President Javier Milei and Venezuelan opposition leader Corina Machado.
André Ventura began his speech stating that it is necessary to “end socialism” across Europe and “send to jail” the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez.
