The mayor of Fuenlabrada, Javier Ayala, criticises the location of the new centre for migrant minors in La Cantueña, accusing the Community of an attempt to punish. The dispute intensifies following a court ruling that grants the region ownership of the land.
A new conflict between the Fuenlabrada City Council and the Community of Madrid has arisen due to the recent establishment of a centre for migrant minors in La Cantueña. The Fuenlabrada mayor, Javier Ayala, has expressed his discontent with the location of the centre, arguing that it is more than three kilometres from any urban area and within an industrial estate. This situation has led Ayala to accuse the regional government of attempting to “punish” the city with this decision.
The controversy intensified after a court officially recognised the Community as the owner of the land where the centre is located. In response, councillor Miguel Ángel García Martín urged the mayor to stop putting “sticks in the wheels”, suggesting that his criticisms should be directed at the central government led by Pedro Sánchez, who he claims is responsible for the increase in the number of unaccompanied minors.
Ayala has reiterated his rejection of the proposed model for caring for the minors, suggesting that smaller and more personalised spaces should be chosen. “Concentrating more than a hundred minors in this place is inappropriate,” he stated during a Local Security Board meeting.
For his part, García Martín defended the decisions made by the regional government and reminded that the courts have supported their position on multiple occasions regarding La Cantueña. “The minors did not arrive here spontaneously,” he emphasised, referring to the current migration context and holding the central government responsible for the implemented policies.
Despite the court ruling in favour of the Community, the City Council maintains its stance on the ownership of Cerro de La Cantueña and plans to continue with the corresponding legal appeal. This conflict not only reflects political tensions between administrations but also raises serious doubts about how resources allocated for migrant minors are managed.
Ayala also expressed his frustration over the lack of information regarding the internal functioning of the centre and the conditions in which the minors live there. “It is regrettable that a city with 200,000 inhabitants does not have access to data about what happens in this place,” he concluded.
This clash between Fuenlabrada and the Community adds a new layer to the debate on how to adequately address migration needs in Spain. With both sides firm in their positions, it seems likely that this dispute will continue to develop while a viable solution for all involved is sought.
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