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Spanish political controversy involving King Felipe VI

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2026-08-19 00:12 UTC → 2026-08-20 05:26 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Spanish Minister of Transport Óscar Puente has sparked political controversy by criticizing King Felipe VI regarding a photograph taken in Cali, Colombia. The image shows the King greeting and posing with Javier Negre during the inauguration of Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella. Puente characterized Negre as a ‘professional of defamation and fake news’ and an ‘ultra-right activist.’ The Minister described the Royal House’s association with Negre as having crossed ‘a red line’ and labeled the gesture ‘intolerable’ and ‘offensive,’ citing Negre’s past legal issues involving the publication of a minor’s photo. While Puente asserted that a Head of State should not associate with such individuals in a democracy, the People’s Party (PP) criticized the Minister for openly attacking the Head of State. Observers have noted that the rhetoric may reflect broader tensions between the administration of Pedro Sánchez and the Spanish Monarchy. In further clarification, Puente noted that while he possesses a ‘republican soul,’ his reaction was a personal expression of indignation rather than a formal government strategy. ~~The incident continues to fuel debate over whether~~ He has since escalated his rhetoric, describing the ~~outburst was a spontaneous personal reaction or a calculated political maneuver.~~ monarch’s interaction with Negre as an ‘absolute ignominy’ and suggesting the King’s image is contaminated by such associations.

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