Between propaganda and humanitarian aid: international visits to foreign prisoners in the San Pedro de Cardeña concentration camp

Abstract

The Francoist camp of San Pedro de Cardeña was chosen in April 1938 as a concentration camp for foreign prisoners of war. The international character of the captives attracted the attention of diplomats, correspondents, delegates and representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Their visits contributed to improve the conditions of their captivity and eased their repatriation. However, this aid was not extended to brigadists from authoritarian and totalitarian regimes. Visits by journalists sympathetic to the new regime spread a benevolent vision of the concentration camp that was highly advantageous for Franco’s propaganda.