One month on from the court-ordered eviction of two hundred individuals from the Chasna building, which has stood unfinished for over fifty years on the Costa del Silencio, around thirty people are still residing a few metres away from the concrete structure in a makeshift camp covered by blue awnings for protection from the sun during the day and humidity at night. They sleep in tents or old vehicles amidst refrigerators, doors, furniture, armchairs, and stacked souvenirs, feeling increasingly ‘invisible’ after the media attention subsided and the area was enclosed with opaque sheets.
“We find ourselves in an improvised camp reminiscent of Tindouf, Mauritania, or Palestine,” states Eloy Outeiral, 47, the spokesperson for the affected individuals, in an interview with DIARIO DE AVISOS, expressing gratitude for the support received from neighbours and organisations, “particularly one of the British residents in Tenerife, who is shocked that such situations occur in Europe.”
The makeshift camp has been cordoned off, leaving only one entrance and exit. “They intend for us to remain unseen,” remarks the spokesperson, foreseeing that “this situation will escalate given the scale of the issue,” believing it sets a “precedent because we all know what lies ahead in the southern region of Tenerife if things persist in this manner.” According to him, “Spain has not witnessed anything of this nature before, with such a significant police presence, secrecy, and institutional neglect during an eviction.”
The camp adheres to minimal internal standards to promote cohabitation under unfavourable circumstances. “The majority of us work daily, while the rest stay back to prepare meals or attend to maintenance tasks such as cleaning, scrubbing pots, or fixing any ropes that may have come loose due to the wind overnight,” Outeiral explains, acknowledging that “those of us with jobs are better occupied and manage the situation more effectively.” “We are not vagrants,” emphasises the spokesperson of those evicted from Chasna, “but workers who cannot afford the luxury of having access to a warm shower.”
He also highlights that the camp symbolises the ongoing social crisis in the south of Tenerife resulting from exorbitant rents. “Many workers are unable to secure accommodation due to unaffordable rents, which is why most of us ended up in the Chasna building as we could not afford the exorbitant upfront payments demanded, ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 euros. Nowadays, it is almost impossible to find a room for less than 450 or 500 euros,” he explains.
In the same breath as expressing gratitude towards the kindness of individuals and groups, with a special mention to “the gentleman who has been selling us water for years and now delivers it to us here, displaying a big-heartedness beyond measure,” he also critiques the institutional “inaction” and directs his grievances towards the Arona City Council: “We feel utterly disillusioned, with nothing but promises, words, and deceit; solutions, none.”
The individuals affected by the eviction in Costa del Silencio declare their intention not to remain passive. Guided by legal advice, they plan to initiate the process of forming a neighbourhood association next week: “We will start submitting all requests through the registry of the Citizen Service Office (SAC) of the City Council,” the spokesperson warns.
Meanwhile, they will persist in camping, experiencing “calm nights and others not so tranquil,” such as those endured during a DANA storm that tore down the makeshift town’s fabric roofs. Despite all challenges, one month on, they retain hope for a stroke of luck that could change their circumstances for the better.
