A collective of residents who were evicted on 12 March 2024 from the Chasna Building in Costa del Silencio, situated in the municipality of Arona (Tenerife), has expressed their intent to lodge a complaint regarding what they perceive as an “excess” carried out during their eviction, which marks one year today.
Following the Order issued by the Arona Court of First Instance number 3 just a year ago, over 200 individuals residing in that long-abandoned building were evicted with only two weeks’ notice. A substantial contingent of National Police and Civil Guard officers was present at the site early that morning to facilitate the clearing of more than 40 homes.
In an interview with Europa Press, the group’s attorney, Gabriel Morales, elaborated that the aim of this action is to “clarify responsibilities” in a process where they argue there has been “an excess in the execution of the title.”
“There are protocols that must be followed, certain formalities and safeguards for the defendants, which have not been adhered to. This process has been conducted behind their backs, resulting in obvious harm,” he stated.
He exemplifies this issue by referencing the moment the ruling was issued, which, while being seen as “fair” by some and “unfair” by others, specified a particular area for the eviction—with a distinct cadastral reference, namely that of block Chasna 10—whereas the eviction was executed beyond that location.
The justification for the eviction was grounded in the structural instability and potential collapse of the property, which was only partially a building.
At that time, Ruth Martín, the Councillor for Social Services in the City of Arona, admitted that vulnerability assessments were overlooked in favour of ensuring public safety.
“Block 10 was the section of the building in the worst condition, so to speak, and it could have posed a risk to the lives of the people residing there. We considered this, even though there was never officially a report to that effect,” indicated the lawyer.
Reflecting on another concerning aspect of this eviction, there is also criticism regarding how notifications were issued. The defence contends that “the plurality of affected individuals” was ignored, with notifications delivered “via a paper stuck on the door, which was not even placed by a judicial official but by the lawyer representing the opposition.”
Although the complaint is primarily confined to the judicial arena, it has also garnered attention in the political domain concerning the mass eviction happening in the southern part of Tenerife. The lawyer pointed out that, “knowing about the ongoing judicial process,” the registration was intentionally obstructed, “a circumstance that hindered certain families from receiving the financial support available to others.
“I have conveyed to the neighbours that this is a matter of fighting for dignity,” Morales remarked regarding the focus of the complaint. He elaborated that they might be confronting criminal offences perpetrated by those involved, “that is to say, in this instance, the lawyer representing the administration of justice,” or a direct liability of the State, given “the negligence displayed by their own officials.”
Chasna building, a year later
One of the individuals evicted from the Chasna building in 2024, located in Arona, was Eloy Outerial. A year later, he informed Europa Press that the property has been occupied once more. He claims that as soon as the security measures were lifted, the barriers that secured the building were vandalised.
“Those who had occupied the building due to a lack of housing, a group of working individuals, have not returned, to my knowledge. Thus, we left out of necessity. Nonetheless, there are others, facing issues and addictions, who have moved back in,” Outerial mentioned.
He expressed regret that the extensive security presence, which ensured the eviction took place on March 12, 2024, did not prove effective “at all”, as a year later, the property is once again occupied, just after three months “of surveillance, and without having done” anything “to prevent it, neither reinforce nor support it.
“When justice lets you down, the State lets you down, and they leave you out on the street like a dog, you completely lose faith, faith in society,” remarked Outerial, reflecting a year post-eviction, which he now characterises as a “cattle movement,” during which they felt unsupported by the public authorities.
Eloy’s choice to occupy the Chasna building in Costa del Silencio stemmed from a pressing need for shelter. “There is no affordable housing,” he exclaimed. This predicament remains unchanged today. He committed to seeking improvement in his circumstances, but for now, he resides in a storage room.
Among those evicted were Ukrainian refugees, pregnant women, minors, the elderly with health conditions and even workers; this property, constructed in the 1970s, remains unfinished and has been abandoned for years.
