Nearly two months have passed since one of the most significant evictions due to squatting witnessed in the Canary Islands, and 30 of the evicted individuals are standing their ground at the protest camp near the building, despite being reported by the property owners for trespassing on their private space. Those mobilized deny the allegations, insisting that the owners fenced off an area that includes a service space and public land on the northern slope.
The eviction, which happened on March 12 at the Chasna A building in Costa del Silencio (Arona, in southern Tenerife), affected 270 people who, in some cases, had been residing in an unfinished property for up to 8 years, abandoned after being built in the 1970s.
The spokesperson for the survivors of the macro-eviction, Eloy Outerial Miniño, stated on Wednesday to Canary Islands Now that the 30 “unyielding” individuals, previously 50, intend to persist with their protest and legal battle as they believe in the righteousness of their cause or, at the very least, seek justice’s protection. He also expressed concern that most of the 270 evicted individuals that morning of Tuesday, March 12, despite not facing notable incidents during the eviction, thanks to a significant police presence, lacked viable housing alternatives. In fact, some have resorted to occupying nearby properties in the area along the Arona coast, risking facing eviction again.
“The confirmed assistance we have received is 3,000 euros for rent, which, being external aid, is only sufficient for 6 months (500 per month) without considering the exorbitant rental prices in southern Tenerife, leaving individuals without a home when the six months elapse.” The spokesperson highlighted that many of the 30 individuals still residing in cars, vans, and makeshift shelters near the Chasna A building are employed in the area but struggle to afford rent, let alone consider purchasing a home, highlighting the irony in an area with a booming tourism industry year-round and congested southern regions post-COVID recovery.
Outerial also lamented the decreasing support from various NGOs and entities due to heightened social emergencies elsewhere, criticizing the management, especially by the Arona City Council (PP-CC-Más por Arona), and other authorities despite initial aid for families with minors and pregnant women. “Ultimately, the majority of the 90 evicted families had to fend for themselves,” she stressed.
However, Outerial affirmed that they would persist in their fight, with no intentions of dismantling or relocating the camp, aiming to challenge the property’s complaint of unlawful occupation without the need to retrieve belongings left behind during the eviction days, despite suggestions to do so, given the alleged structural issues of the building.
The evicted individuals argued that there was confusion between Chasna A building numbers 8 and 10, highlighting that number 8, which they occupied, does not exhibit the structural problems supposedly found in number 10. They question the lack of a conclusive and comprehensive technical report (including sampling) verifying these structural issues beyond surface-level observations.
The Ukrainian Family, with a Viable Housing Solution
Notably, the Ukrainian Pantsulaia family, comprising Mirian (75 years old), his wife Tamar Janiashvili (61), their daughter Hana Pantsulaia (47), and grandson Stanislav Medvediev (29), have now secured an alternative housing option. Following negotiations with the Ukrainian embassy in Spain and other institutions, they were allocated an apartment due to the daughter and grandson’s official status as long-term refugees due to the Ukrainian conflict, while the couple had been residents of the Canary Islands for an extended period.
Amid discussions in the Canary Islands regarding the development model, tourism, wealth distribution, natural habitats, and sustainability, it is striking that adjacent to the Chasna A building and the campsite, Chasna B displays visible “VV” signs on multiple consecutive floors.
