The controversy arose after the presentation of the International Community Medal of Madrid to opposition leader María Corina Machado at the Real Casa de Correos. During the subsequent concentration in Puerta del Sol, shouts and insults were heard directed at the Venezuelan Vice President.
The spokesperson for the PP in the Madrid Assembly, a party representative, was questioned about the chants and the intervention of a singer who, from the stage, encouraged attendees with a derogatory term for the Vice President.
“"I do not like insults to any person. That derogatory term was said in the square by the demonstrators."
The PP representative distanced himself from these expressions, insisting that they cannot be attributed to the Community of Madrid. He also rejected derogatory remarks against members of his own party and shifted the focus to the political significance of the tribute to Machado, whom he considers a key figure of resistance against the regime of Nicolás Maduro.
The Popular Party used the controversy to highlight the symbolic value of the meeting between the president of the Community of Madrid and Machado. This event was contrasted with a summit of progressive leaders held in Barcelona, aiming to differentiate two political models and institutional approaches in both Spain and Latin America.
