Spain donates one million to Venezuela earthquake: gesture or insult?

Spain donates one million to Venezuela earthquake: gesture or insult?

The Spanish government has announced a donation of one million euros to help those affected by the earthquake in Venezuela. The figure, apparently an act of solidarity, has triggered comparisons that leave the government in an awkward position.

From 53 million for Plus Ultra to one million for Venezuela

While 53 million euros were allocated to rescue the airline Plus Ultra —aid many describe as opaque— barely one million is set aside for a natural disaster in Venezuela. The contrast is so glaring that it is hard to justify. One million is what a mid-sized town council spends on four stretches of sidewalk, as has been pointed out.

The slight to Valencia's flood victims

The government's response to the DANA flooding that devastated Valencia stands in stark contrast to this donation. There, they merely said that if people needed help, they should ask for it. For Venezuela, on the other hand, funds are mobilized instantly. The double standard is hard to swallow for Spanish flood victims.

The shadow of corruption

There is no shortage of voices recalling José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's 15-year track record of dealings in Venezuela, in which he has been accused of plundering. That the announcement comes just as those alleged diversions are coming to light adds a cynical touch. Moreover, the question of how much of that million will be lost along the way hangs over any debate.

Let everyone judge for themselves. But when what is spent on four meters of sidewalk is the same as what is sent to a devastated country, the gesture feels more like posturing than genuine solidarity.