Residents of a Torrevieja urbanisations are “fighting”—or rather, resisting as best they can—against a group of squatters who have moved into a home in their neighbourhood. “Abandoned by the state,” the inhabitants allege, forcing them to take self-protection measures.
This summer, the fraudulent tenants acquired entry via an allegedly fabricated contract. The stolen address is the second home of a European couple who do not now reside in Spain. Since then, the neighbourhood has been experiencing a nightmare. They’ve had their lives made terrible by intimidation, violence, power outages, and water shortages. “Every day, a new problem, a new fear,” says Kate, the owner of one of the apartments, in despair.
“They tried to kill a neighbour!” cries Antonio, one of the homeowners who can’t believe what happened. The victim, who refuses to reveal his identity for fear of retaliation, claims it was a planned attack. He heard them repeat “this… this” right before he was beaten. The squatter, of North African heritage, threatened him with a box cutter while his entire clan tossed items off the rooftop. The specialised foreign press has covered this video, which has gone viral.
“Forty-eight hours after the Guardia Civil arrested him, he was already free and here again,” recalls Marta, head of the neighbourhood association, who admits, “We’re scared.” And this is not a unique instance. They’re referring to a real “mafia.” They notice unknown faces “lurking” around the two streets of this condominium. “We think they want to squat more houses,” she cautions, concerned.
In recent days, the community has increased security measures. Almost 30 people have already woken up without water. To avoid a repeat of this boycott, they installed sophisticated “anti-squatter” locks on the meters. To deactivate it, people must insert the key and contact the firm. This is an attempt to protect themselves against future sabotage, although it may not prevent squatters from connecting to the energy.
To feel the anxiety, simply gaze at the inside facades, which are covered in red video surveillance warning placards. Antonio is an excellent example: “This Saturday, I installed an alarm at home,” he explains. “Another expense” that he believes is not their duty, a symptom of “laws that protect the squatter rather than the owner.” A couple from Sweden is astonished by the same event after deciding to sell their home and relocate. “It’s a shame because Spain is beautiful, but we don’t feel safe here,” they complain.
Author: Derek Appleton
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