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Trump criticizes Spain amid Iran, NATO rift as PM Sanchez faces questions over political motives
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Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of Spain has tried to position himself as the European counterweight to President Donald Trump, but his motives are being questioned by critics.
Sanchez, who is hosting a conference of leftist leaders from around the world in Barcelona this weekend, has rejected increasing Madrid’s NATO spending while positioning Spain against the Trump administration on several key policy issues.
More recently, the Spanish politician has taken a belligerent stand against the U.S. and Israeli military campaign against the Iranian regime, forbidding the U.S. from using its military bases in Spain to refuel aircraft or prepare for military action, decrying the campaign as illegal while staying quiet on the regime’s murder of thousands of protesters and its increased drive to produce ballistic missiles and acquire nuclear weapons-grade enriched uranium.
NATO CHIEF SIGNALS ALLIES MAY ACT ON HORMUZ, WARNS OF ‘UNHEALTHY CODEPENDENCE’ ON US
President Donald Trump, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, attend a North Atlantic Council meeting during a NATO summit in Brussels, Belgium, on July 11, 2018 during Trump’s first term in office. (Francois Lenoir/Reuters)
A few days after the war began with Iran, Sanchez said, «We are not going to be complicit in something that is bad for the world and is also contrary to our values and interests, just out of fear of reprisals from someone,» Sánchez said, using the slogan «No to the war,» the Associated Press reported.
On Saturday, Trump took aim at Sanchez’s policies in a Truth Social post, asking: «Has anybody looked at how badly the country of Spain is doing. Their financial numbers, despite contributing almost nothing to NATO and their military defense, are absolutely horrendous. Sad to watch!!!»
In March, Trump said he had asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent «to cut off all dealings with Spain.»
WALZ RIPS TRUMP AND VANCE IN EUROPE, SAYS ‘FEEBLE-MINDED, TRIGGER-HAPPY PRESIDENT’ HAS NO EXIT PLAN FOR IRAN
Critics charge that Sanchez, already well known for his fervently anti-Israel views, has increased his public pronouncements to take pressure off him due to a series of corruption scandals involving family members, something he and his supporters have denied.
TOPSHOT – Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez delivers a speech to announce that Spain will recognise Palestine as a state on May 28, at the Congress of Deputies in Madrid on May 22, 2024. «Next Tuesday, May 28, Spain’s cabinet will approve the recognition of the Palestinian state,» he said, adding that his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu was putting the two state solution in «danger» with his policy of «pain and destruction» in the Gaza Strip. (Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images)
Javier Negre, a conservative Spanish journalist and owner of La Derecha Diario and UHN Plus told Fox News Digital. «The stance of President Pedro Sánchez against President Donald Trump is neither improvised nor based on convictions. It is purely electoral marketing. He has realized that by confronting the most powerful president in the world and getting Trump to speak about him, he achieves two things: first, he positions himself in the media as the leading figure of the global left and globalism against the new right.»
Negre said Sánchez’s position also «diverts attention from the corruption scandals that have led to investigations involving his wife and his brother and to the imprisonment of people close to him
A Madrid judge formally charged Sanchez’s wife, Begona Gomez, with corruption Monday, creating a political storm for the PM, who’s already embattled in another corruption case involving his brother.
TRUMP SAYS HE MIGHT HAVE ‘FORCED ISRAEL’S HAND’ IN IRAN STRIKE DECISION AS CRITICS QUESTION WAR POWERS
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (R), and his wife Begona Gomez, attend a speech in Beijing, China, 13 April, 2026. (Andres Martinez Casares/Pool via Reuters)
Gómez’s 39-page indictment follows a two-year investigation charging her with embezzlement, influence peddling in her position at Madrid’s Complutense University, corruption in business dealings and misappropriation of funds to advance her personal interests. She has denied all charges while her husband says the allegations are an attempt by right-wing parties to undermine his coalition.
The charges came as the couple was on a state visit to China last week, during which Sanchez said, «I find it very difficult to find other interlocutors, beyond China, who can resolve this situation in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz,» the Associated Press reported.
The complaint against Gomez was brought forward by anti-corruption group Manos Limpias.
The prime minister’s family scandals also encompass his brother, David Sanchez, who was implicated in a separate influence-peddling scandal for accepting a bespoke job with a regional government in 2017, right after the Spanish leader became the secretary-general of Spain’s Socialist Workers Party (PSOE).
From 2018 to 2024, Sanchez’s government reportedly authorized exports of over €6 million ($7.2 million) in dual technology equipment to Iran. While not a significant sum, the move, critics say, would contravene U.N.-approved sanctions and embargoes against Iran. Leading opposition Spanish politician Santiago Abascal denounced Sanchez in Spain’s Congress, accusing him of selling detonators and explosives to Iran.
Spaniards protesting against Israel. Unions have called for a general strike day in solidarity with the Palestinians and Lebanon demanding the Spanish government break relations with Israel. Sept. 2024. (Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Following the accusations, Shurat Hadin Israel Law Center filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court in the Hague against the Spanish PM on Friday, claiming Spain assisted the Ayatollah’s regime by transferring tech related to explosives at the tune of around $1.5 million in 2024 and 2025 despite international sanctions against the regime for the support of terrorism.
NATO HEAVYWEIGHTS BALK AT HORMUZ MISSION AS TRUMP WARNS ALLIANCE AT RISK
In March, Iran’s regime reportedly plastered a thank-you note with a picture of Spain’s Sanchez to a missile fired against Israel, according to footage from Iran-controlled Press TV obtained by the Middle East Media and Research Institute (MEMRI.)
The Spanish leader has also faced criticism for his anti-Israel views and its war in Gaza after the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas carried out the worst attack in the history of the Jewish state, killing 1,195 people and kidnapping 251 nationals and foreigners in 2023.
Sanchez has repeatedly called Israel a genocidal state, downgraded Spain’s diplomatic relations with Jerusalem, imposed a total arms embargo and sanctions on the Jewish state, recognized a Palestinian state, despite wide opposition, and along with Belgium, has received praise from Hamas due to his «clear and bold stance regarding the Gaza war» since the onset of the conflict.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez arrives for a EU Summit in Brussels, Thursday, March 21, 2024. European Union leaders are gathering to consider new ways to help boost arms and ammunition production for Ukraine. Leaders will also discuss in Thursday’s summit the war in Gaza amid deep concern about Israeli plans to launch a ground offensive in the city of Rafah.
While still popular among the left, the Spanish politician has seen a steady decline in his popularity over the past few months, with 61% of Spaniards holding an unfavorable view of their prime minister, according to a YouGov poll from March — his lowest approval ratings since assuming office in 2018.
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Fox News Digital reached out to La Moncloa (the Spanish Prime Minister’s office) and to Spain’s foreign minister with a request for an interview or official comment regarding Sanchez’s diplomatic positions relating to the wars in the Middle East, the alleged sales of technology to Iran, the use by American forces of bases built under NATO in Spanish territory, and relations with the White House.
Spanish authorities told Fox News Digital, «the prime minister was not giving new interviews due to conflicts in his schedule» and that information regarding the prime minister’s positions «could be found in his many public declarations over the past few days.»
war with iran, spain, donald trump, sanctions, nato, israel, hamas
INTERNACIONAL
Democrats’ civil war heads to Michigan where progressives face biggest test yet in high-stakes Senate showdown
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The high-stakes fight between the left-wing and the center-left establishment for the future of the Democratic Party is moving to a much larger stage.
After victories by far-left and socialist candidates in dark blue congressional districts in New York City and Colorado the past two weeks drew national attention, the spotlight now shifts to battleground Michigan.
That’s where moderate Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., who is backed by Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and the establishment; and former Wayne County Health Department Director Abdul El-Sayed, a left-wing candidate endorsed by progressive champions Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.,and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., are colliding in a crucial Senate showdown.
The winner of the Aug. 4, 2026, Democratic primary will face-off in the midterm elections in November against former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, who is on a glide path to the GOP nomination. The winner will succeed retiring Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, a Democrat.
CRUCIAL SENATE BATTLE ROCKED AFTER MAJOR PLAYER DROPS OUT OF RACE
Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan, right, and former Wayne County Health Department Director Abdul El-Sayed are facing off in the August 4, 2026, Democratic Senate primary in the Great Lakes battleground state. ( )
The seat is a top Republican target and is a must-hold for the Democrats as they aim to win back the Senate majority from the GOP, which currently controls the chamber with a slim, but manageable, 53-47 margin. The leading nonpartisan political handicappers at Cook Political Reporter rate the Senate race in Michigan as a toss-up.
Matt Bennett, one of the leaders at the Third Way, a leading center-left Democratic organization, told Fox News the primary in Michigan «is much more significant» than the intra-party ballot box showdowns the past two weeks in «very, very blue districts» in New York City and Denver.
The showdown in Michigan became a two-way race on Sunday, after progressive state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, once the third major Democrat in the primary, suspended her campaign.
«I may be suspending this campaign, but I am not leaving the fight,» McMorrow pledged in a statement Sunday as she ended her Senate bid.
McMorrow, who has seen her national profile expand in recent years and was running as a progressive in an ideological space between El-Sayed and Stevens, suspended her campaign amid faltering poll numbers and fundraising that weren’t keeping pace with her two main rivals.
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State Sen. Mallory McMorrow campaigns at the Michigan Democratic Nominating Convention in Detroit on April 19, 2026. (Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group)
McMorrow pledged to fully support whichever Democrat wins the primary and will ultimately face-off with Rogers, who is running for the Senate for a second straight cycle after losing in 2024 to now-Sen. Elissa Slotkin by a razor-thin margin.
Following McMorrow’s announcement, Stevens praised her fellow Democrat by calling her an «important voice» for policies that benefit Michigan families. Stevens then argued that she is the strongest Democratic candidate to win the primary and defeat Rogers in November.
«As we enter the final month of the primary election, I’m excited to continue to make my case to Michiganders why I’m the strongest Democrat to defeat Mike Rogers this November, lower costs, protect manufacturing jobs, and stand up to Trump’s abuses of power,» she added.
As she runs for the nomination, Stevens has been backed by millions in super PAC spending, including big bucks from Israel-aligned groups.
MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALISTS LOOK TO TAKE NEW YORK PLAYBOOK NATIONWIDE AFTER PRIMARY VICTORIES
Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., speaks during the House Democrats’ news conference to introduce the Taxpayer Data Protection Act in the Capitol on Thursday, February 6, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
In his statement, El-Sayed praised McMorrow for having the «courage» to challenge what he described as a rigged political system, accusing Democratic Party insiders of spending millions to influence the primary. While he did not name specific groups, the remarks appeared to reference corporate PACs and establishment party leaders such as Schumer.
He then invited McMorrow’s supporters to join his progressive movement to combat big money in politics and defeat the political establishment.
«Throughout this campaign, Senator McMorrow showed what it looks like to fight back against politics that rigs the system against too many of us. While we have policy disagreements, I never questioned whether Senator McMorrow would fight for a better America for my daughters and hers,» he said.
«The same party insiders she had the courage to challenge have been bullying anyone who opposes their chosen candidate. After spending $30 million to drown Senator McMorrow and me out, they’re now spending even more to attack me. It’s everything we are standing up against.»
«I welcome her supporters to our movement to stand up against money in politics, to put money back in pockets, and pass Medicare for All. We cannot allow the establishment to decide our nominee for us.»
THESE MIDTERM RACES WILL DETERMINE WHETHER REPUBLICANS HOLD THEIR SENATE MAJORITY
El-Sayed, who, if elected, would make history as the nation’s first Muslim senator, is an epidemiologist who unsuccessfully ran for governor as an insurgent candidate in 2018. He has made support for «Medicare-for-all» a major component of his campaign.
The far-left candidate has also called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and is a vocal critic of Israel amid its war with Hamas — even characterizing Israel’s actions in Gaza as «genocide» against Palestinians.
And El-Sayed, who served as a top surrogate on Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, has vowed not to accept PAC donations.
Abdul El-Sayed, speaks before Sen. Bernie Sanders and takes the stage at Mumford High School on May 3, 2026, in Detroit, Michigan. (Sarah Rice/Getty Images)
Schumer and the party establishment view Stevens as more electable than El-Sayed, who has sparked controversy with his past comments. They worry that El-Sayed as the party’s nominee would jeopardize the Democrat-controlled Senate seat by pushing the party too far to the left in a state that President Donald Trump carried two years ago by just over one percentage point.
A victory by El-Sayed over Stevens in next month’s primary would give the far left a major win on a statewide stage, and further boost their momentum in the battle for the Democratic Party’s future.
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But Bennet warned against placing too much emphasis on the results in Michigan, as he pointed to other factors in the race.
«I don’t think that even if El-Sayed wins, that means the national party is moving dramatically to the left, as the left will insist if that happens,» he told Fox News Digital. «Some of this is idiosyncratic. There’s a huge Arab American population in Michigan. The Israel issue is more resonant there than it is in other places. And candidates matter.»
Fox News’ Hannah Brennan contributed to this story.
democrats elections, michigan, politics, alexandria ocasio cortez, chuck schumer, midterm elections, bernie sanders, republicans
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El presidente de Líbano confirmó visitará la Casa Blanca antes de fin de mes para negociar con Trump un acuerdo con Israel
El presidente de Líbano, Joseph Aoun, confirmó que viajará a la Casa Blanca antes de que termine julio para reunirse con el presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, con el objetivo de avanzar en el acuerdo marco entre Líbano e Israel. El anuncio llegó después de una conversación telefónica de 17 minutos que ambos mandatarios mantuvieron el domingo y que Aoun calificó como “buena”.
En una entrevista con el diario libanés An-Nahar, Aoun sostuvo que el acuerdo marco “no es ideal”, aunque explicó que la aceptación por parte del Gobierno libanés responde a la situación militar en el sur del país y al actual equilibrio de fuerzas, que favorece a Israel.
«Este es un marco, no un acuerdo con Israel… Nadie debe apostar por la división del Ejército libanés y no dejaré que mi pueblo muera“, afirmó el mandatario. También aseguró que el entendimiento “no impedirá que Líbano siga reclamando sus derechos y recupere los territorios ocupados”.
Aoun explicó que la transición de seguridad se desarrollará por etapas y comenzará con un despliegue piloto en Zawtar, en el distrito de Nabatieh. Según detalló, el plan prevé que el Ejército libanés asuma el control exclusivo de determinadas localidades para facilitar retiros graduales de las fuerzas israelíes.
El presidente indicó que este modelo también busca responder a la preocupación por un posible ataque israelí contra la colina de Ali Al-Taher, ubicada cerca de la zona donde comenzará el despliegue.
Además, señaló que funcionarios libaneses solicitaron al secretario de Estado estadounidense, Marco Rubio, que garantice que la colina permanezca bajo control del Ejército libanés y afirmó que el primer ministro israelí, Benjamin Netanyahu, aceptó esa propuesta.
Aoun también defendió la decisión del Gobierno libanés de enviar a un ministro al funeral del fallecido líder supremo de Irán. «Nuestras relaciones diplomáticas con Irán continúan y no están interrumpidas“, expresó.
La visita a Washington se producirá mientras el sur de Líbano continúa afectado por las consecuencias del conflicto con el grupo terrorista Hezbollah. Más de cuatro meses después del inicio de la tregua con Israel, unas 700.000 personas permanecen desplazadas y sin posibilidad de regresar a sus hogares, según informaron el Consejo Noruego para los Refugiados (NRC) y la agencia humanitaria de la ONU.
Las organizaciones señalaron que el último alto el fuego, alcanzado a mediados de abril y prorrogado en varias oportunidades, no permitió restablecer la seguridad ni recuperar las condiciones necesarias para el retorno de la población.
Los ataques israelíes continuaron después del acuerdo de cese del fuego, con bombardeos, incursiones militares y destrucción de viviendas en distintas zonas del sur del país, incluso al sur del río Litani.
El Ministerio de Sanidad de Líbano informó que 4.298 personas murieron desde el 2 de marzo, entre ellas 135 profesionales sanitarios, mientras que más de 12.000 resultaron heridas.
Las áreas ocupadas por el ejército israelí y declaradas como zonas militares impidieron el regreso de miles de residentes. A ello se suman la presencia de munición sin explotar y los escombros que permanecen en numerosas localidades.
El NRC advirtió que «el regreso sigue sin ser un paso sencillo» para los habitantes del sur, quienes afrontan restricciones de acceso, falta de servicios básicos y viviendas destruidas.
La devastación resultó especialmente severa al sur del río Litani. Una evaluación preliminar estimó en 1.380 millones de dólares los daños directos en edificios, sin incluir otras infraestructuras ni el resto del territorio libanés.
La directora del NRC en Líbano, Maureen Philippon, afirmó que “la destrucción de viviendas, carreteras, sistemas de agua, centros sanitarios, escuelas e infraestructuras civiles provocó desplazamientos prolongados, pérdida de medios de vida, interrupción de la educación y un mayor endeudamiento de las familias“.
De acuerdo con la Oficina de las Naciones Unidas para la Coordinación de Asuntos Humanitarios (OCHA), a finales de junio permanecían desplazadas internamente 704.445 personas en todo el país, mientras que más de 523.000 iniciaron un regreso gradual.
El NRC indicó que numerosas familias utilizaron sus últimos ahorros para afrontar alquileres, comprar ropa tras abandonar sus hogares sin pertenencias y cubrir necesidades básicas en medio de la crisis económica que atraviesa Líbano.
Diplomacy / Foreign Policy,Middle East
Cuba sufrió el lunes su tercer apagón nacional desde el inicio del año, después de que el sistema eléctrico nacional quedara completamente desconectado al mediodía y dejara sin suministro a los 9,6 millones de habitantes de la isla. El régimen atribuyó la crisis al bloqueo estadounidense sobre el suministro de combustible, mientras las autoridades advirtieron que la falta de petróleo dificulta el restablecimiento del servicio.
La empresa estatal Unión Eléctrica (UNE) informó una “desconexión total” del sistema eléctrico nacional, aunque no precisó la causa del colapso. Se trata del octavo apagón de alcance nacional desde finales de 2024, en medio de un deterioro cada vez mayor de la infraestructura energética del país.
El director de Electricidad del Ministerio de Energía y Minas, Lázaro Guerra, explicó en la televisión estatal que la escasez de combustible afecta las tareas de recuperación. “La falta de combustible sin duda complica el proceso de restauración“, afirmó, aunque evitó fijar un plazo para el restablecimiento del servicio.
El dictador Miguel Díaz-Canel responsabilizó directamente a la política de sanciones de Estados Unidos por la nueva interrupción del suministro eléctrico. “Mientras Estados Unidos intenta provocar un estallido social mediante el estrangulamiento que supone bloquear el acceso de Cuba al combustible, la UNE moviliza todos sus recursos para revertir el colapso del Sistema Eléctrico Nacional“, expresó el mandatario.
El nuevo apagón ocurrió en un contexto de extensos cortes programados de electricidad que ya afectaban a todo el país. En algunos sectores de La Habana, los vecinos soportaban interrupciones superiores a las 30 horas consecutivas, mientras que en zonas rurales los cortes superaban las 70 horas. Las autoridades aplicaron esas restricciones para ahorrar el escaso combustible disponible para las centrales eléctricas.
La crisis energética se agravó después de que el presidente estadounidense Donald Trump endureciera en enero las restricciones sobre el suministro de petróleo hacia Cuba. Según las autoridades de la dictadura cubana, esa medida redujo aún más el combustible disponible para alimentar las plantas generadoras.
Desde entonces, Washington solo autorizó el ingreso de un buque petrolero procedente de Rusia, como parte de la estrategia de presión destinada a poner fin a más de seis décadas de gobierno comunista en la isla.
La población volvió a expresar su frustración por la falta de electricidad y las dificultades que provoca en la vida cotidiana. «Vivir así es una agonía“, afirmó Meyboll Font, trabajadora independiente de 51 años.
La mujer explicó que su barrio de La Habana recibía apenas “tres o cuatro horas de electricidad al día”, aunque señaló que el apagón nacional incrementó la incertidumbre porque «nunca sabes cuándo volverá la electricidad“.
En otro sector de la capital, un joven programador de software que trabaja para una empresa emergente vinculada al turismo describió las consecuencias del corte. «No tenemos WiFi, no tenemos electricidad, no podemos trabajar“, aseguró.
Los apagones forman parte de la vida cotidiana en Cuba desde hace varios años debido al deterioro del sistema de generación eléctrica, compuesto principalmente por antiguas centrales construidas con tecnología soviética. Las autoridades de la dictadura sostienen que la escasez de combustible limita además el funcionamiento de los generadores que respaldan la red nacional.
La crisis energética se suma a una situación económica cada vez más delicada. La escasez de alimentos, agua potable y medicamentos se profundizó en los últimos meses y obligó incluso a postergar algunas cirugías. Esa situación llevó a Naciones Unidas a advertir sobre una emergencia humanitaria en la isla. El transporte también sufrió fuertes restricciones por la falta de combustible.
El mes pasado, el régimen cubano presentó un amplio paquete de reformas de mercado que, de aplicarse, reduciría de forma significativa el control estatal sobre la economía.
Sin embargo, el Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos calificó esas iniciativas como «señales superficiales de humo» y sostuvo que la administración de Trump espera «reformas económicas y políticas mucho más sustanciales que conviertan a Cuba en un país apto para la inversión» y otorguen libertad política a los cubanos.
Ambos gobiernos mantuvieron varias rondas de conversaciones para intentar reducir las tensiones, aunque el canciller cubano, Bruno Rodríguez, aseguró la semana pasada que «no hubo avances» para superar el conflicto.
(Con información de AFP)
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