I would like to express my deepest and total solidarity with our Consul General in Barcelona, Gabriele Luca Fava, and all the Consulate staff, for the very serious death threats received via social media in recent days. Knowing that those responsible are Italian citizens, it hurts deeply.
I want to say this absolutely firmly: these individuals do not represent us.
This is not the face of our community abroad. Italians around the world are workers, students, professionals, and families who bring a culture of respect, dignity, and legality everywhere.
When you live far from home, there can be many difficulties. You can feel vulnerable, sometimes even isolated or lost in the face of bureaucracy or life’s unexpected events. But the reaction of decent people is never, and never will be, violence or intimidation.
Our institutions abroad —the Consulates, the Embassies— are born precisely for this reason: to be a beacon, a safe haven. Women and men of the state work every day, often under intense pressure, to do their best, to be there, to reach out and leave no one behind.
No frustration can justify threats to those who wear the uniform of the State or represent its institutions.
My biggest hug goes out to Gabriele, his team and the entire wonderful Italian community in Barcelona. Italy is with you, legality always wins.
