Summary of the year 2022 | The 5 most watched news stories on YouTube by Euronews in Spanish

“I have decided to carry out a special military operation.”

With this sentence, President Vladimir Putin announced the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It was last February 24th. A war has begun that has marked the present in 2022. A conflict whose end is not in sight and with global consequences.

One of these, the transformation of NATO, more united and with open doors. Also, energy diversification in Europe, which is facing raging inflation and rate hikes. Hungary, with over 22%, leads inflation in the EU.

Outside the European Union, the UK entered a recession in November, in a year the country entered a new era after sacking its Queen Elizabeth II.

The revolution in Iran and its heroines

Another of this year’s protagonists was the revolution in Iran and its heroines. More than 400 people have died in the protests, thousands have been arrested. International condemnations intensified after the execution of the first protesters.

In this 2022, we have once again experienced massive immigrant arrivals and migration dramas on both sides of the Atlantic.

Extreme heat, drought and wildfires grabbed the headlines for months.

Climate change activists have found another way to make their voices heard.

After the onslaught of omicrons and between vaccinations against COVID-19, monkeypox appeared. And after a two-year break, away games, celebrations and competitions are back.

While Rafael Nadal was expanding his legend, another was born: Carlos Alacaraz became the youngest number 1 in history. And other legends hung up the racket – Roger Federer and Serena Williams.

The Warriors won their seventh NBA ring and La Familia (the Spanish basketball team), the current world champion, their fourth Eurobasket.

But what were the most watched stories on the Spanish-language Euronews YouTube channel?

In issue 5: Russia orders a “all-out offensive” on Ukraine after accusing Kiev of not wanting to talk

Published on February 26, it has more than 1,300,000 views and nearly 4,000 comments. Many support Kiev and many support Moscow and support “denazify” Ukraine.

There are those who accuse Putin of “genocide”others call it “the Slavic Hitler”, “mad killer” or “Mass Murder”. Zelensky’s critics call it “comedic joke”, “puppet”, “spot”, “rascal”and “terribly inept”.

There are those who blame the United States and NATO, assuring this “They throw stones and hide their hand”. And those who defend them, as guarantors of freedom.

At no. 4: Russia warns US with direct shock after announcement of more arms shipments to Ukraine

This story, released on June 1, has nearly 1.5 million views and 4,400 comments, many of which talk about World War III or the apocalyptic, such as: “It was a pleasure to share the world with you” or “The way things are going, we may not see a 2023”.

Others talk about “fiasco of the Russian army and the fragility of its logistics, questioning his ability to “launch nuclear missiles at the United States, effectively”.

In issue 3: US military convoy arrives in Romania to reinforce NATO troops

This news was published on February 11, two weeks before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It already has two million seven hundred thousand views and nearly 2,000 comments.

some say yes “scenes reminiscent of the Second World War”.

Others wonder “What are the gringos doing so far from their borders?” or “What if Russia sends troops or missile systems to Mexico? And how would the United States feel?

There are those who think “shameful that European countries do not have their own defense capabilities”. And those who argue “peace in the world”.

In issue 2, leaving aside the war in Ukraine: Putin greets Mikhail Gorbachev, the last president of the Soviet Union

This news, published on September 2, already has almost two million nine hundred thousand views. Comments for and against Gorbachev, with many calling out for him “traitor”.

Among its defenders, one user, for example, states: “Gorbachev was a person who wanted the good of his people and of Russia, while Putin is the president of terror, he would like Russia to return to the Soviet Union”.

And at number 1, the most watched news on Euronews YouTube channel in Spanish, this 2022: Coup against the Mara Salvatrucha in El Salvador

With a big lead over everyone else, it has nearly six million views and more than 2,700 comments, such as: “Bravo, another blow to the mafias” you “I hope this is done all over the world”, “Long Live Bukele”or “Example to the World, Mr. Bukele”. Although there are also those who blame the existence of the gangs on the government, due to the “lack of work” and opportunities.

There are many who call for the death penalty for gang members, who also have some messages of support.

The news was published on January 7. Two months and three weeks before President Nayib Bukele declared a state of emergency in his war against gangs.

Nine months later, some 59,000 gang members were arrested, according to El Salvador’s justice and security minister.

His Ministry reported that there were zero homicides in nine of the first ten days of December.

Data in hand, President Nayib Bukele insists his plan is working and Salvadorans are happy with it, regretting “international media attacks on his war on gangs”.

Reports of human rights violations

But the truth is that along with the decrease in violence, reports of human rights violations are multiplying. The last one informs Human Rights Watchin collaboration with Cristosal, denounces widespread abuses during the state of emergency by the security forces, which have daily quotas of arrests, such as hundreds of arbitrary arrests of people who have nothing to do with gangs.

To experience the atmosphere in El Salvador firsthand, we spoke to Bryan Avelar, a Salvadoran journalist specializing in gang violence and corruption, who works for, among other media outlets, the New York Times and the Spanish newspaper El País. You can see the complete interview in the video of this article.