A recent report has unveiled a troubling influence operation linked to China, which sought to incite a rebellion against the Spanish government following the tragic October floods in Valencia that claimed over 200 lives. This campaign masqueraded as a human rights organization on various social media platforms, aiming to manipulate public sentiment and galvanize opposition against governmental authorities.
Details of the operation
According to findings by the American social network analysis firm Graphika, accounts associated with the Spamouflage operation impersonated Safeguard Defenders, a Madrid-based human rights group. These deceptive accounts were active on platforms such as Facebook, X, BlueSky, and TikTok from November to January, disseminating content that criticized the Madrid government and Valencia Governor Carlos Mazon.
The imposter posts featured messages in both English and Spanish, targeting the response of the local government to the catastrophic floods. Governor Mazon faced significant backlash for his handling of the crisis, with public outrage mounting as he resisted calls to resign despite the pressure. This disaster has underscored a deep-seated distrust among many Spaniards towards their ruling elites.
Political ramifications and further implications
The events also sparked anger towards national leaders, including Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and King Felipe VI, who were confronted by residents while visiting the severely affected town of Paiporta. Tensions escalated, with a far-right group claiming responsibility for the harassment directed at Sanchez.
“This influence campaign represents an escalation in Spamouflage’s activities, as it marks the first time the operation has called for a government to be overthrown,”
Graphika elaborated, highlighting the gravity of this operation. Since its inception in 2017, Spamouflage has been linked to efforts aimed at inciting political discontent not only in Spain but also in the United States and Canada. Despite the allegations, the operation has denied any affiliations with the Chinese government.