The head of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has come out in defense of Óscar Puente after his resignation as Minister of Transport, announced this Tuesday after the Urda (Toledo) train accident, and has dedicated to his fellow party member a public message of thanks in which he asserts his management and the voluntary nature of his resignation.
"Óscar Puente has faced up, has provided solutions and, after that, has taken a step aside. For dignity. Out of his own will. Out of respect for the victims and for the progressive project," Sánchez wrote on his official X account.
The head of the Executive has gone further by turning the minister’s departure into a vindication of his political career. "Politicians like him dignify our country and show us that not all of us are the same", he said, before delivering a message that sets Puente’s attitude against that of his critics: "While some only give lessons, others give everything."
"Thank you for so much, fellow party member," the post concludes.
Óscar Puente ha dado la cara, ha dado soluciones y, después, ha dado un paso al lado.
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) November 3, 2026
Por dignidad. Por voluntad propia. Por respeto a las víctimas y al proyecto progresista.
Políticos como él dignifican a nuestro país y nos demuestran que no todos somos iguales. Mientras unos…
Sánchez asserts the voluntary resignation of Puente
The president’s words come after Puente announced his resignation and explained that he had communicated his decision to Sánchez just a few minutes before making it public.
The until now Transport minister justified his departure by the seriousness of the railway accidents that occurred during his term, especially the one in Urda, which has left 74 dead, and the one in Adamuz, which occurred on 18 January last.
"A Transport minister of a country like Spain cannot continue in his post with two accidents of this seriousness in less than a year", Puente said when explaining his decision.
Sánchez’s reaction places emphasis on the political responsibility assumed by the former minister and on his willingness to step away from the Executive, although the presidential message does not address the possible technical or administrative responsibilities that continue to be investigated for the tragedy of Urda.
A message with reproaches to the Government’s critics
The publication also includes a political reading of the resignation. By stating that "not all of us are equal" and contrasting those who "only give lessons" with those who "give everything," Sánchez responds indirectly to the criticism directed at Puente over the last few days.
The minister’s departure occurs after growing political pressure regarding railway safety and regarding the circumstances of the Urda accident, whose investigation remains open.
With his message, Sánchez publicly backs Puente after his resignation and defends his decision as a gesture of responsibility, while at the same time avoiding assigning him specific responsibilities for the incidents that have precipitated his departure from the Government.