300,000 babies were stolen from their mothers and sold to childless couples in Spain

 The child abduction scandal in Spain during and after the Franco dictatorship is one of the darkest chapters in modern history. It is estimated that up to 300,000 babies were stolen from their mothers and sold to childless couples, often with the help of doctors, lawyers, and the Catholic Church.

The abductions began in the early years of the Franco regime, when the dictator targeted political opponents and their families. However, the practice soon expanded to include other groups, such as poor families, single mothers, and children born out of wedlock.

The abductors used a variety of methods to steal babies. In some cases, they would simply take the babies from their mothers immediately after birth. In other cases, they would tell the mothers that their babies had died or were sick, and then sell the babies to adoptive families.

The adoptive families were often wealthy and well-connected. They were often told that the babies were orphans or abandoned children. Many of these families were unaware that the babies had been stolen.

The child abduction scandal had a devastating impact on the victims. Mothers were left grieving for their lost children, while children were raised without knowing their true identities. Many of the victims are still searching for their biological families today.

The Spanish government has been slow to address the child abduction scandal. It was not until 2008 that the government established a commission to investigate the abductions. In 2018, the government passed a law that provides compensation to victims of the abductions. However, many victims still feel that the government has not done enough to address the scandal.

The child abduction scandal in Spain is a reminder of the importance of protecting children and their families from violence and exploitation. It is also a reminder of the need for governments to hold accountable those who commit crimes against children.