Golden Owl Warns of Foreign Interference in Spanish November Elections
Strategic intelligence firm detects coordinated hybrid threats and Kremlin-linked disinformation networks targeting Spanish voters.
1Hybrid Threats Identified
The Alicante-based firm Golden Owl warns of a diverse arsenal of hybrid threats targeting Spain's November 29 general elections. Their report highlights coordinated operations using synthetic media and clandestine digital infrastructure. These activities aim to influence public opinion by magnifying tragedies and distorting information through bots and fake online identities.
2Kremlin-Linked Telegram Networks
Investigations revealed a chain of Telegram channels reproducing content from Russian state media like Sputnik and TASS. At the center of this ecosystem is Enrique Arias Gil, a Spanish national based in Moscow. He is currently listed as a fugitive by Europol and is accused of recruiting Spaniards as paid cyber-volunteers.
3Recruitment and Digital Influence
Arias Gil allegedly manages a network with half a million subscribers, targeting both the extreme right and left in Spain. The report claims he recruits individuals for the Russian army and as informants against Spanish officials. These channels promote Kremlin narratives, often blaming Israel, the United States, or Morocco for domestic crises.
4Vietnamese Disinformation Farms
Golden Owl identified eight pages created in Vietnam that published Spanish political content during October 2026. These pages used deceptive names like 'Horizonte Político' and listed fake addresses in cities like Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona. They disguised themselves as innocuous businesses, such as clothing stores or restaurants, to avoid early detection.
5Exploiting National Tragedies
The report details how disinformation actors exploited the Urda railway accident to spread chaos. Within thirty minutes, accounts like @milexcarabanxel labeled the incident a 'terrorist attack' by Israel or the US. This coordinated effort utilized high-frequency posting to ensure these false narratives reached tens of thousands of viewers across social media platforms.
6Undermining Electoral Integrity
Foreign-backed structures are actively attempting to erode trust in the Spanish electoral system. The primary narrative pushed by these networks claims that mail-in voting is unsafe, the census is rigged, and results will be stolen. While the message originates domestically, foreign actors provide the necessary volume and reach for propagation.
7Historical Context of Operations
Golden Owl gained prominence after the Ceuta border crisis, where they identified social media mobilization as a key catalyst for the event. Their current methodology involves tracking digital footprints and infrastructure to attribute complex influence campaigns. This expertise in strategic intelligence allows them to distinguish between organic discourse and state-sponsored manipulation.
8Implications for National Security
The convergence of these distinct operations demonstrates the sophisticated variety of methods used to destabilize Spain's political environment. As the November 29 election approaches, the ability of these networks to reinforce each other poses a significant challenge. Authorities must now address both the domestic origins and the foreign amplification of these threats.
Original article: 20minutos — Golden Owl Warns of Foreign Interference in Spanish November Elections