Spain takes over Catalonia, fires leaders, other nations kick against the declaration

The Spanish government has taken direct control of Catalonia, firing the region's rebellious separatist government and ordered new elections a day after Catalan MPs passed a declaration of independence for the northeastern region.

The move came after, as the national parliament in Madrid approved unprecedented constitutional measures to halt the secessionist drive by the regional parliament in Barcelona.

Spain made the takeover official by publishing special measures online early on Saturday in the country's gazette.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who now replaces Catalan President Carles Puigdemont as the top decision-maker in the northeastern region, has also dissolved the regional parliament and called a new regional election for December 21.

Rajoy said the declaration of independence "not only goes against the law but is a criminal act".

Puigdemont and the 12 members of the Catalan Cabinet now will no longer be paid and could be charged with usurping others' functions if they refuse to obey.

Spain's Interior Ministry has also sacked Josep Lluis Trapero from his position as head of the regional Mossos d'Esquadra police.

Meanwhile, Mexico has said it will not recognise Catalonia's declaration of independence from Spain, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto wrote in a post on Twitter on Friday evening.

Pena Nieto made it clear he will stand beside Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy as he confronts the nation's most acute political crisis since it embraced democracy in 1978.

Mexico will not recognise the unilateral declaration of independence of Catalonia," Pena Nieto wrote. "We hope for a political and peaceful solution.

Others nations including France, Germany and the United States have also voiced their support for Spanish unity.