Spanish media condemned Britain for “taunting Spain” by issuing special coins and stamps to mark its “occupation of Gibraltar”

Spanish media have harshly criticised Britain’s issuance of special coins and stamps depicting the “Occupation of Gibraltar”, saying they “mocking Spain”.

August 4 marks the 320th anniversary of the capture of Gibraltar by the Anglo-Dutch fleet led by Admiral George Rooke.

Now, the UK has celebrated the event with a new stamp and coin commemorating “a pivotal event in the forging of an unbreakable relationship between Gibraltar and the United Kingdom”.

The coin is expected to be 50 pence and will be issued by the Gibraltar Mint.

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The commemorative stamp will be issued through the Gibraltar Royal Post Office.

Although the Spanish press debate Calling the new coins and stamps a “taunt” to Spain, the Gibraltar Mint and the Royal Gibraltar Post Office have traditionally issued such memorabilia to mark the anniversary.

The rock city has been under British control for more than three centuries since it was captured by the British in 1704.

During the War of the Spanish Succession, an Anglo-Dutch fleet under Admiral George Rooker captured Gibraltar.

100 Spanish soldiers were no match for the 2,000-man Anglo-Dutch fleet, and ultimately, Gibraltar and Minorca were ceded to Britain in the Treaty of Utrecht.

The treaty, signed on July 13, 1713, ceded to the British Crown “the whole possession of the city and castle of Gibraltar, with its harbour, fortifications and forts”.

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However, according to El Debate, “the conditions attached to the treaty were never met.”

“One of the clauses stated that the treaty ‘contained no territorial jurisdiction, nor any open communication by land.’ This measure was primarily intended to prevent smuggling, which was also prohibited. Yet Britain systematically violated these principles by occupying land on the isthmus, artificially enlarging the rock, and engaging in lucrative smuggling operations in the area,” writes Sarah Durwin.

“It should be remembered that the British did not capture Gibraltar for Britain, but on behalf of Archduke Charles, the Austrian candidate for the Spanish throne. Yet when it became clear that the Bourbons would win the contest, the British government refused to abandon this strategic location,” she continued.

“According to a Gibraltar government press release, 1704 ‘was the starting point’ for an ‘unbreakable’ relationship that began with a backdoor attack and has been based on a treaty that has been systematically violated.”

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