Abascal Heckled in La Laguna, Told to 'Lie Somewhere Else' Over Migration Claims
Vox leader Santiago Abascal was heckled by residents in La Laguna, Canary Islands, during a visit where he linked immigration to insecurity, prompting a strong rebuke from the government delegate.
A video circulating on social media shows residents in La Laguna heckling Santiago Abascal, the leader of the Vox party, as he walked through La Concepción square. In the footage, people are heard shouting "get out!", "Nazi", "fascist", and "we don't want you here." A smaller group chanted "president." This created a tense atmosphere, leading customers at nearby outdoor cafes to stand up and join the jeers.
Abascal's visit to the Canary Islands comes amidst a significant political debate about the migration crisis in the region. On Sunday, the leader linked immigration to "insecurity," "rapes," rising housing costs, and the "collapse of social and healthcare services." He blamed Fernando Clavijo, the President of the Canary Islands, for this situation.
Anselmo Pestana, the government's delegate in the Canary Islands, told Abascal to "go lie somewhere else." This statement followed Abascal's visit to Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, where he made comments connecting immigration with a lack of security. Pestana spoke to the media before attending a new technical meeting for the Coordination Authority for Immigration in the Canary Islands.