Spanish Tourist Arrested at São Paulo Airport Over Alleged Racist Remarks
The woman reportedly blamed baggage handlers for a delay, saying 'there are only monkeys outside', according to passengers and police.
Brazilian federal police detained a Spanish national at São Paulo’s Guarulhos international airport in the early hours of Wednesday, 24 June, on suspicion of racial injury. The arrest occurred as she disembarked from a Latam flight arriving from São Luís, in the north-eastern state of Maranhão, after crew members summoned officers.
According to statements given to police and reported by Brazilian media, the passenger became irritated by a delay in exiting the aircraft. No covered stairs were immediately available because of rain, and she is alleged to have said that the problem was that “there are only monkeys outside”. The remark was directed at ground staff, though it remains unclear whether they were airport or airline employees. Latam said in a statement that “there is no justification for the aggression towards its employees” and that it condemns all forms of racism and discrimination.
Under Brazilian law, racial injury is treated as a form of racism, carrying a prison sentence of two to five years and a fine. Since a 2023 legislative change, the offence is non-bailable and imprescriptible. The woman remains in custody pending a judicial custody hearing; her name and legal representation have not been made public.
The incident is the latest in a series of high-profile arrests of foreign visitors on similar grounds. In January, an Argentine lawyer was detained in Rio de Janeiro after being filmed mimicking a monkey at a waiter; she later returned to Argentina but legal proceedings continue. In May, a Chilean businessman was arrested at Guarulhos for racial and homophobic slurs against a flight crew, and an Argentine man was indicted in Minas Gerais for allegedly sharing images of a child with racist messages. Brazilian authorities have not indicated whether the current case is connected to any broader pattern, and the investigation is ongoing.
| Chinese press | 0.00 | neutral |
|---|---|---|
| Continental European press | 0.00 | neutral |
| Latin American press | −0.30 | critical |
Brazil's legal system acts decisively against racism, setting an example for the region.
By focusing on the legal penalties and the series of arrests, the narrative frames the event as a routine application of law rather than a unique incident, normalizing Brazil's strict enforcement.
The specific racist phrase uttered by the tourist is omitted, which would have added emotional weight and potentially shifted focus to the victim's experience.
Brazil's anti-racism laws are being applied to foreign tourists, including Spaniards, as part of a broader pattern affecting South American visitors.
By noting that other South American tourists have been arrested, the narrative creates a sense of equivalence and downplays the uniqueness of the Spanish case, potentially deflecting nationalistic reactions.
The specific racist remark is omitted, which would have highlighted the severity of the insult and possibly provoked stronger condemnation from the Spanish audience.
The racist insult 'only monkeys' cannot be tolerated; Brazil's laws are in place to protect the dignity of all workers.
By including the direct quote and the context of the delay, the narrative makes the racist nature explicit and undeniable, appealing to moral outrage and legal consequences.
The fact that other foreign tourists have been arrested for similar offenses is omitted, which would have contextualized the arrest as part of a pattern rather than an isolated incident.
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