Catalonia
The government has warned the Catalan authorities that national police could be sent to their region if they tolerate separatist blockades.
The warning – in three letters from ministers – followed a protest on Saturday by separatists who blocked the AP-7 motorway connecting France to Catalonia’s coast.
Madrid accused the Catalan police force – the Mossos – of just standing by.
Tensions remain high, as many Catalans resent Madrid’s show of force last year.
A letter from the Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska noted a state security law which would allow Madrid to send police to Catalonia if the Mossos neglected their duties.
After many nationalist demonstrations in Barcelona there is nervousness about a planned meeting there between Spanish and Catalan ministers on the 21 of December. Spain will send a security contingent to protect its ministers.
Migration
EUROPE should produce ‘humanitarian visas’ for potential refugees to keep them out of the hands of the mafia, says a Spanish MEP.
Juan Fernando López Aguilar, from the PSOE says migrants who would normally put their lives and life’s savings at risk to travel to Europe on dangerous, unseaworthy crafts ought to be able to request an emergency entry card from embassies or Consulates representing EU member States.
These ‘humanitarian visas’ would allow them entry to European territory so they could apply for asylum.
“Around 90% of people granted asylum in Europe have entered the continent illegally,” the Spanish MEP said.
“Since the year 2000, over 30,000 have died trying to reach Europe.
“We need to establish legal and safe methods to allow them to get here, and it’s clear we have lots to do in order to help them.”
López Aguilar’s proposal won 429 votes in favour to 194 against, with 41 MEPs abstaining.
Death
POLICE believe the Irish mafia member who plunged to his death in Marbella took his own life.
Michael Cumberton who was 30, a prominent member of the Kinahan cartel was found dead on Saturday after falling from a hotel balcony.
The body was found in an inner courtyard.
Sources close to the investigation of Cumberton’s death told the Irish press that police have ruled out foul play.
It comes as Republican dissidents plotted to kill him in revenge for his brother Eamonn murdering Real IRA member Michael Barr at the Sunset House Pub in Dublin in April 2016.
After Ireland’s Police warned him he was in danger, Cumberton fled to the Costa del Sol
Cumberton fell from the fourth floor of the block where he rented an apartment.