In recent developments surrounding Spanish tour guide Manuel Blanco Vela, a troubling history of alleged sexual assaults has finally started to see some justice. Although dozens of women claim to have been assaulted by Blanco Vela over a decade, it wasn’t until 2025 that he was found guilty of three separate incidents. The case has garnered attention and sparked a conversation about accountability for sexual violence, particularly against women abroad.
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Blanco Vela, who operated a travel company named Discover Excursions in Seville, primarily catered to American students studying in Spain. The company organised cost-effective trips to various destinations, including Morocco, where many of the assaults allegedly occurred. Gabrielle Vega, an American student, was one of the first to speak out publicly. In December 2017, she accused Blanco Vela of sexually assaulting her during a trip to Tangier in 2013. Following her disclosure on social media, she was contacted by several other women who had similar experiences with the tour guide, further confirming patterns of predatory behaviour.
In a revealing interview with Megyn Kelly in April 2018, Vega recounted how, after sharing her own harrowing experience, her phone was inundated with messages from others who had faced similar circumstances. These conversations eventually led to increased pressure for legal action against Blanco Vela, although many victims hesitated to come forward due to fears that they would not be believed. Candace Mittel Kahn, a co-host of a podcast discussing these crimes, highlighted the reluctance of many victims to report their experiences, citing concerns about judgment and disbelief.
The protracted silence of victims and the complexities of pursuing justice in a foreign legal system delayed any formal action until 2025. By this time, Spain’s National Court was finally able to build a robust case against Blanco Vela. The court established that he had assaulted three women: Vega, Hayley McAleese, and Carly Van Ostenbridge. After lengthy testimony from multiple survivors, Blanco Vela was convicted, receiving a prison sentence of six years for the assault on Vega, along with two and a half years for the assaults on McAleese and Van Ostenbridge.
Unfortunately, the aftermath of the conviction was equally controversial. Shortly after his sentencing in February 2025, Blanco Vela was released pending appeals. The National Court ruled that he was not a flight risk and imposed measures such as confiscating his passport and enforcing a travel ban alongside regular court appearances. Despite the serious nature of his crimes, his release left many bewildered, particularly the victims who had fought hard for justice.
Following his sentencing, the response from the victims was mixed. Gabrielle Vega expressed a sense of triumph and relief, calling the day she sent Blanco Vela to prison “the best day” of her life. In a poignant moment, she shared that she plans to move to the countryside, where she intends to adopt a mule, symbolising her journey of resilience and strength. She believes that honesty and being true to oneself can lead to significant changes in life, including holding guilty parties accountable.
The case has triggered public discussions regarding how sexual violence is treated, particularly in international contexts where victims may feel isolated or unsupported. Many of the women involved in this case noted how difficult it was to navigate the legal landscape of a foreign country. Some of them faced language barriers and uncertainty about how to report their experiences, contributing to the systemic challenges that delayed justice for so long.
As the dust begins to settle, the case of Manuel Blanco Vela serves as a reminder of the importance of support systems for survivors and the necessity for justice systems to prioritise the voices of victims. While many women were initially silenced by fear and uncertainty, their courage in coming forward is now paving the way for a broader conversation about accountability in cases of sexual assault globally. With this case highlighted in a recent Netflix docuseries, more individuals are becoming aware of the pervasive issues surrounding sexual violence in travel and tourism. Whether justice has truly been served for these women remains to be seen, as Blanco Vela’s legal battle continues.