Sánchez says Barcelona unrest orchestrated by groups that initially advertised concerts, 'deceiving' youths

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said that the unrest seen in Barcelona on Saturday was orchestrated by "accounts created weeks ago, which initially circulated information about concerts."

These accounts "suddenly" shifted to organizing gatherings, ultimately "trapping and deceiving" 14-year-olds who found themselves "entangled in riots, arrested, and brought before the justice system."

Police arrested 130 people Saturday following riots that took place near Plaça Catalunya in the centre of Barcelona. Of those arrested, over 50% were minors.

The incidents also caused damage or looting in around 30 commercial establishments. The incidents, which began in the afternoon, involved looting and the burning of street furniture. 

"We used to think technology was neutral, but it is power, and it is being used to spread messages of hate," Sánchez said on the podcast 'Keep It Cutre', hosted by Ángela Henche and Albanta San Román.

The PM believes that events such as the disturbances seen on Saturday in Barcelona highlight the importance of regulating social media.

Election

In the interview, Sánchez also explains that he made the decision to call a general election following a conversation with his wife and parents.

"I’m not an NGO, that’s for sure, but when the housing decree fell through following the eviction of Maricarmen, I didn’t call for elections immediately, I waited until after the weekend," he explained. "Partly because I wanted to gauge the public reaction on the streets, but also because I had a very important standing appointment, one I keep every Sunday, with my family."

In this regard, he notes that he spoke with his parents about "what he should do" and that "the path forward became clear" after both his parents and his wife, Begoña Gómez, expressed the view that elections needed to be called. They reasoned that "if these types of measures cannot be pushed through, then the parliament must be renewed."

AI

He also addressed the news that Ada Colau has signed a letter calling for an end to the use of AI in a harassing or demeaning manner.

Sánchez also explained that his wife, Begña Gómez, has filed a complaint against the conservative People's Party regarding a deepfake video featuring an AI-generated version of Gómez, used by Alberto Núñez Feijóo’s party during the pre-election period.

According to the PM, the Socialist Party has decided not to use artificial intelligence in its campaign, whereas the PP is employing "the same techniques that bullies use against minors."