Sánchez tears down a fence as Gibraltar builds another
Pedro Sánchez tears down the Gibraltar fence while the colony erects a new barrier on Spanish territory. The EU-Gibraltar deal leaves Spain as…
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
The paradox of the Gibraltar fence: Sánchez tears it down and the colony builds another a few metres away
While Pedro Sánchez was posing for photos, boasting about having torn down the fence separating Spain from Gibraltar, the Gibraltar authorities were already erecting a new high-security barrier just metres from the old one, on Spanish territory. The image is as ironic as it is worrying: Gibraltarians can keep coming and going to their luxury residences in Sotogrande, while Spaniards are banned from buying or renting property in the colony.
A treaty signed without Spain
The agreement that made the demolition possible was signed between the EU and Gibraltar, with Spain reduced to a supporting role. Foreign Minister Margarita Robles tried to sell it as a diplomatic success, but the reality is that the colony has gained a safer, more symbolic border without ceding an inch of sovereignty. Meanwhile, the Spanish government stays silent and signs.
History repeats itself: the first fence was put up by the British
A detail few remember: the original fence was not built by Spain, but by the British authorities in 1908. A hundred years later, history repeats itself: the Gibraltarians are once again marking out territory, this time with a more modern fence on Spanish soil. The question is whether Sánchez is demolishing Gibraltar or, rather, demolishing what little remained of Spain's negotiating position.
While Pedro Sánchez was posing for photos, boasting about having torn down the fence separating Spain from Gibraltar, the Gibraltar authorities were already erecting a new high-security barrier just metres from the old one, on Spanish territory. The image is as ironic as it is worrying: Gibraltarians can keep coming and going to their luxury residences in Sotogrande, while Spaniards are banned from buying or renting property in the colony.
A treaty signed without Spain
The agreement that made the demolition possible was signed between the EU and Gibraltar, with Spain reduced to a supporting role. Foreign Minister Margarita Robles tried to sell it as a diplomatic success, but the reality is that the colony has gained a safer, more symbolic border without ceding an inch of sovereignty. Meanwhile, the Spanish government stays silent and signs.
History repeats itself: the first fence was put up by the British
A detail few remember: the original fence was not built by Spain, but by the British authorities in 1908. A hundred years later, history repeats itself: the Gibraltarians are once again marking out territory, this time with a more modern fence on Spanish soil. The question is whether Sánchez is demolishing Gibraltar or, rather, demolishing what little remained of Spain's negotiating position.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (13 replies).
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