The United States Embassy in Madrid has advised U.S. citizens who reside in or are visiting Spain to exercise extreme caution and avoid crowds, in light of calls for vandalism linked to the platform 'Blocus' that have spread on social media on the occasion of the All Saints' holiday weekend and Halloween.
In a statement published on the social network 'X', the diplomatic mission refers to "demonstrations that have been announced, including those of October 31, and "other spontaneous protests"" to warn Americans who are in Spanish territory of the possibility of incidents and ask them to strengthen their security measures.
The message specifies that, according to the available information, the Spanish authorities "may increase security measures, including road closures, traffic restrictions or greater security presence in the areas where the demonstrations will take place". For this reason, it urges U.S. citizens "must avoid the demonstrations and areas of unrest", and to stay "away from areas with large crowds or significant police activity". At the same time, it recalls that "even protests" that appear peaceful "can escalate into violence".
The Embassy also encourages its nationals to remain alert to what happens in public areas during these festive days and to closely follow the notices and updates from the Police and local authorities on the evolution of the protests. Likewise, it recommends "being prepared" for the possibility of violent episodes, considering alternative routes and informing family and friends of their whereabouts and location.
In parallel, numerous shops in the central areas of cities such as Madrid, Valencia, Bilbao or Barcelona woke up this Saturday with their storefronts protected by boards in the middle of the All Saints' holiday weekend and Halloween, amid fears of possible looting after the vandalism messages associated with the platform 'Blocus'.
Many merchants have opted to preventively fortify their businesses, out of fear that the looting of last Saturday the 24th in Barcelona will be repeated, which ended with 133 arrested and more than 600 identified.
In this context, at least a dozen people have been arrested in the last few hours for inciting multiple looting incidents, calling on young people to join the protest using weapons and making Molotov cocktails, with the aim of "overwhelming" the officers who intervene in response to the sabotage.
These arrests have been carried out in Bilbao, Málaga, Tenerife and Valencia, where a 20-year-old man is accused of being the "founder and main promoter" of the violent movement.