Trump’s team reiterates threats to Spain over Nato spending, Benidorm gangs that used QR codes to sell drugs to tourists busted and more news from Spain on Friday July 4th.
Trump’s team reiterates threats to Spain over Nato spending
The US’s dispute with Spain over its reluctance commit to 5 percent of its GDP to defence continues.
On Thursday, US ambassador to Nato Matthew Whitaker warned that Pedro Sánchez’s government could face “serious consequences” if it fails to comply with the agreement reached at the Hague summit. He also asserted that Sánchez’s message is intended to “please his domestic audience.”
“If Spain or any other ally does not want to fulfil its commitments, there will be serious consequences ,” the ambassador argued in an interview with Fox, in which he also noted that Trump is right to say that he “holds all the cards” to respond if the 5% threshold is not met.
READ ALSO: What the Trump-Sánche Nato standoff means for Spain
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Spanish cop faces jailtime for passing on his mother’s traffic fines to tourists
A former Catalan Mosso d’Esquadra police officers is standing trial in Barcelona for attempting to pass on two speeding fines that his mother received to two unsuspecting tourists in the city.
The ex-police officer in question seized the driving licences of an Italian and British holidaymaker, claiming that they were the ones behind the wheel of his mother’s Volvo. Both tourists placed complaints in each other’s countries and proved that they had only used public transport while on holiday in Barcelona.
The man now faces a possible jail sentence of up to 12 years for his actions.
Benidorm gangs that used QR codes to sell drugs to tourists busted
Spanish National Police have busted two drug trafficking gangs in Benidorm who used QR codes to sell marijuana, hashish, cocaine, and ecstasy, primarily to tourists and foreign residents.
A total of 20 people have been arrested – three women and seventeen men – who are charged with drug trafficking, membership in a criminal group, illegal weapons possession, and coercion.
The police investigation revealed that the criminal organisations used QR codes posted at bank branches, street lamps, and street furniture in tourist areas to facilitate access to a restricted sales channel.
Spain thump grieving Portugal to make Euro 2025 statement
Spain showed why they are favourites to win Women’s Euro 2025 by hammering Portugal 5-0 in their Group B opener on Thursday as both teams paid tribute to Portuguese men’s international Diogo Jota who was killed in a car crash.
The world champions were two ahead inside seven minutes in Bern thanks to goals from Esther Gonzalez and Vicky Lopez and never looked back from there, rattling in three more thanks to Alexia Putellas, another for Gonzalez and a late header from Cristina Martin-Prieto.
“What I enjoyed the most was starting quickly, starting like this allows you to be more patient and wait for Portugal who were forced to attack,” said Spain coach Montse Tomé.
With additional reporting by AFP.
