After three nights of protests in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, Isabel Díaz Ayuso’s regional government has given the central government’s delegate 48 hours to clear the camp, citing damage and threats at the Real Casa de Correos. Officials say the Community of Madrid’s historic headquarters has been defaced with graffiti, while protesters threw trash and urine at the building and climbed its windows. The government calls the situation chaos.
After 62 and a half hours of occupation, the regional executive gave Francisco Martín, the central government’s delegate, 48 hours to clear the square. If nothing happens, Madrid’s leaders say they will go to court, filing a contentious-administrative appeal to force action.
AFP reported that the camp began after the eviction of 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal, which helped spark mass demonstrations and the establishment of a tent city in central Madrid.
The Real Casa de Correos, officially listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural, sits basic to the dispute. On Monday night, crowds surrounded the building. Regional officials say some protesters climbed onto its windows and blocked evacuation routes. The National Police stepped in after these incidents, setting up barriers and increasing their presence to keep demonstrators away from the building.
The regional government’s complaint cites graffiti, including threats against President Ayuso. It also reports urine stains on the walls and garbage thrown at windows and balconies. Officials say the acts damage a historic site and disrupt the government’s work. They warn that the annual Hispanidad celebrations are also at risk, with concerts and exhibitions on hold until the square is cleared.
Both the Community and the City Council of Madrid have demanded action, while the central government has not budged. The Delegación del Gobierno says the protest is “civic and peaceful.” Organizers, led by the Sindicato de Inquilinas, have kept the camp going to push for anti-eviction laws. Regional officials fear the protest could last much longer than expected.
The Guardian and Euronews reported that the encampment grew to between 100 and over 300 tents, with hundreds of participants. Activists from more than 20 European countries joined them, giving the protest impressive international visibility.
“Impunity, illegality, and disorder cannot continue unchecked in Puerta del Sol,” said Miguel Ángel García, the regional spokesperson and Presidency councillor. He accused the government delegate of “complicity” with what he calls an illegal occupation. The central government stands by its response. Officials defend the National Police and say they are committed to public safety and protecting the Real Casa de Correos.
If the camp is not dismantled by the deadline, Madrid’s leaders say they will take the fight to court. They warn that tourism and business are at risk, along with the city’s cultural heritage. The blockade continues, with no indication of when the protest will end or whether it will become a permanent fixture in Madrid’s most famous square.
Regional and national authorities have clashed before over public order and symbolic spaces. As reported earlier, disputes over Spain’s political legacy and the management of public institutions continue to surface. The standoff in Puerta del Sol has become a test of power, with Madrid’s government drawing its line and warning of a prolonged legal and political fight if the central government does not act.
