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The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, authorized the sale of 24 tons of “ammunition and projectiles” to the Cuban regime and 1.5 tons of “war weapons” to Morocco, according to sources from the Ministry of Defense cited by Ok Diario.
The operations were carried out while the Spanish Government upheld its veto against Israel and ruled out increasing defense spending to 5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as demanded by its partners in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Official records detail that the export to Cuba, carried out in July, was valued at 81,600 euros, while the operation with Morocco was close to 63,000 euros.
Both transactions were managed through a company, although their approval depended on the Executive.
"The export is carried out by a company that applies for a license, but it must be approved by the Secretary of State or the Council of Ministers," the sources explained.
This is not the first time that the socialist government has authorized sales of this kind to the Cuban regime.
Previously, Spain had exported police repression weapons worth over 50,000 euros, used by Cuban security forces during anti-government protests, the source recalled.
In the Moroccan case, the sale of arms coincided with a diplomatic conflict. In the same month, Rabat unilaterally closed the commercial customs of Beni-Enzar in Melilla, leading to an economic blockade that the local council attributed to Spain's "weakness in the face of Morocco."
The episode reinforces criticism of Sánchez's foreign policy, with the opposition accusing him of maintaining trade relations with authoritarian regimes while imposing restrictions on traditional allies.
The Cuban government allocated a total of 2,239,494 euros to purchase defense equipment from Spain for the island's police between 2018 and the first half of 2019.
Cuba acquired light firearms (smoothbore cannons, automatic weapons, and rifles) entirely intended for the island's police. However, the bulk of the investment focused on the category of Dual-Use Products and Technology, which includes sensitive materials such as chemicals, "microorganisms," and "toxins," as well as protective and detection equipment like suits, gloves, footwear, and dosimeters.
According to the 2020 statistics from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of Spain, the authorities on the island once again purchased weapons from the Iberian country, this time in the midst of the pandemic, for a value of 1,202,500 euros, an amount comparable to that of countries with a higher GDP such as Poland or Slovenia.
Most of this investment was allocated to the acquisition of "energy materials and related substances" (category 8), which include explosives, propellants, pyrotechnic products, and fuels.
Additionally, the regime spent 2,500 euros on the purchase of light weapons (category 1), a category that includes pistols, rifles, revolvers, machine guns, and accessories such as silencers and optical sights.
However, at the end of 2022, it was revealed that the government of Spain, through the Interministerial Regulatory Board for the Foreign Trade of Defense and Dual-Use Material (Jimddu), denied the sale of riot control equipment to the Cuban Ministry of the Interior (Minint).
The rejected operation, valued at 350,000 euros, included 2,500 tear gas cartridges and 40 devices for light, sound, and smoke.
The decision was based on the "respect for human rights in the country of final destination" and the little "respect for International Humanitarian Law by that country," in accordance with criterion 2 of the Common Position of the European Union on the export of military equipment, according to the Jimddu report for the first half of 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Sale of Ammunition from Spain to Cuba and Morocco
Why did Spain sell munitions to the Cuban regime?
The government of Pedro Sánchez authorized the sale of 24 tons of ammunition and projectiles to the Cuban regime as part of an agreement managed by a company and approved by the Executive. This action has sparked criticism, as it occurs in a context where the Spanish government maintains trade relations with authoritarian regimes while imposing restrictions on other allies.
What impact could this sale of ammunition have on Spain's international relations?
The sale of ammunition to Cuba and weapons to Morocco could intensify criticisms of Pedro Sánchez's foreign policy, which has been accused of favoring relationships with authoritarian regimes. Moreover, Spain is facing pressure from NATO to increase its defense spending, and these decisions may impact its position within the organization and its relationship with traditional allies such as the United States.
What is the history of arms sales from Spain to Cuba?
Spain has exported police repression weapons to Cuba in the past, worth over 50,000 euros, which were used by Cuban security forces during anti-government protests. Additionally, between 2018 and 2019, the Cuban regime invested more than 2 million euros in defense materials from Spain.
How does the sale of weapons to Morocco affect diplomatic relations with Spain?
The sale of arms to Morocco occurs at a time of diplomatic conflict between the two countries, as Morocco unilaterally closed the commercial customs of Beni-Enzar in Melilla, leading to an economic blockade. This context highlights the "weakness of Spain in relation to Morocco" and could further complicate bilateral relations.
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