A new political scandal is unfolding in Spain involving a series of messages exchanged between Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the Partido Popular, and former head of the Valencia Community Carlos Mazón. Public outrage erupted over WhatsApp messages sent at the peak of the devastating DANA, when the region faced one of the most severe natural disasters in recent years. The October 2024 storm claimed 230 lives and left thousands displaced.
Amid the crisis, Feijóo publicly accused the central government of lacking information and coordination. However, it soon became clear that his claims did not match the facts. WhatsApp messages between Feijóo and Mazón, sent during critical hours after the tragedy, ended up in court. The exchange revealed that their first contact only took place on the evening of October 29, when Mazón replied with a brief “Thank you, President” to a message from Feijóo. Later in the conversation, the phrase “This will be a complete nightmare, President” drew a wave of criticism from the government.
Government response
Minister and government spokesperson Elma Saiz made a strong statement demanding Feijóo’s immediate resignation. According to her, the opposition leader misled the public for a year about his actions and awareness during the disaster. Saiz stressed that such statements and the tone of the correspondence are unacceptable, especially given the loss of life and suffering involved.
The minister also expressed doubts that Feijóo had released all of his messages sent to Mazón. She suggested that the opposition leader’s replies might have been just as harsh and disrespectful. Sais called on Feijóo to disclose the full exchange so the public could assess his behavior in this critical moment.
Details of the correspondence
Legal proceedings regarding the authorities’ actions during the DANA disaster are ongoing. As part of the investigation, messages sent by Mazón to Feijóo on the day of the tragedy were made public. It is known that the first contact only occurred after 8:00 p.m., although Feijóo had previously claimed he was receiving information “in real time.” Later, he admitted his mistake, explaining that he had mixed up the days of the week and was actually referring to Tuesday rather than Monday.
In one of the messages, Mazón directly acknowledges that the central government was ready to provide assistance, despite later accusations of inaction. Nevertheless, the tone of the correspondence and the choice of words provoked outrage among government officials, who considered such communication inappropriate in the midst of a tragedy.
Political fallout
The scandal surrounding the correspondence has led to new accusations against Feijóo. According to Sais, the opposition leader uses any opportunity to launch political attacks on the government, even when it involves the pain and suffering of victims. She recalled that Feijóo had repeatedly stated his intention to pursue a “mature” and “moderate” policy, yet his actions suggest otherwise.
Authorities are demanding not only explanations from Feijóo, but full transparency regarding his communications with regional leaders during the crisis. The future of his political career remains uncertain, and public opinion is divided: some are calling for his immediate resignation, while others see the situation as a political maneuver.
