The United States issues an alert to its citizens in Spain in light of threats of unrest on Halloween: "Avoid demonstrations and crowds"

The United States Embassy in Madrid has issued a security alert directed at its citizens who are in Spain in view of the demonstrations scheduled for this Saturday, October 31, and the possibility that spontaneous gatherings may occur during the Halloween weekend. The notice comes in a context of growing concern over the calls circulated on social media linked to Blocus, after the looting and disturbances recorded last October 24 in Barcelona.

In a message published on its official X account, the U.S. diplomatic mission warns that the protests may take place outside the routes initially planned and undergo last-minute changes, so it recommends taking extreme precautions in areas where large gatherings occur.

"Demonstrations and protests continue to occur in Spain. Although some demonstrations have been announced, including those on October 31, other protests are spontaneous," states the U.S. Embassy, which also warns of the possibility that the Spanish authorities establish extraordinary security measures.

The statement includes an explicit warning about the risk of altercations: "Even peaceful protests can become confrontational and escalate into violence". For this reason, the United States has asked its citizens to avoid demonstrations and remain attentive to the instructions of local authorities.

The United States warns of possible disturbances and traffic disruptions in Spain

The U.S. Embassy explains that the gatherings called for this Saturday could cause traffic restrictions, road closures and an increase in police presence in the places where the protests take place.

"Local authorities may increase security measures, including road closures, traffic restrictions or a greater security presence in the areas where the demonstrations will be held," the notice says.

For this reason, the diplomatic mission recommends that Americans stay away from areas where there are large crowds or significant police activity, even when the calls initially take place peacefully.

The message insists that the situation may change unexpectedly, especially when gatherings are organized through social networks and messaging channels that do not always communicate their routes to the authorities.

The alert does not imply a ban on traveling to Spain nor does it confirm that disturbances will take place during the day. It is a preventive security recommendation addressed to U.S. citizens, in light of the risk of incidents in certain gatherings.

The Blocus calls for October 31 worry merchants and police

The U.S. notice coincides with the prevention measures adopted in different Spanish cities in response to calls to carry out gatherings and possible lootings linked to Blocus, a youth mobilization phenomenon spread mainly through social networks and messaging applications.

The messages have generated concern among merchants in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao, where some establishments have chosen to protect their storefronts using panels and other security elements in view of the possibility of new acts of vandalism.

Fear has its origin in the incidents recorded last October 24 in Barcelona, when a gathering called through the internet resulted in looting, material damage, and clashes with the Mossos d'Esquadra. Those disturbances ended with more than 130 arrested, many of them minors.

Since then, the security forces have investigated new calls circulating on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp and Telegram. The authorities have detected messages that allegedly incited the commission of violent acts during Halloween night.

The Guardia Civil has also arrested in Picanya (Valencia) a 20-year-old man whom investigators consider alleged founder and main promoter of Blocus in Spain. The action is part of an investigation into the organization of calls that would have used youth protests as cover to commit looting and provoke disturbances.

However, the US Embassy does not expressly mention Blocus in the message released, but instead issues a general warning about demonstrations and gatherings scheduled for October 31.

What the United States Embassy recommends to its citizens

The diplomatic representation has issued a series of recommendations for those who are in Spain during this weekend. Among the main security measures are:

• Avoid demonstrations and large crowds, especially in areas where there is a risk of disturbances.

• Remain alert to your surroundings and move away from places where a particularly intense police presence is observed.

• Follow information from local media to learn about possible incidents or changes in the calls.

• Prepare alternative routes and allow more time for travel, in the face of possible traffic restrictions.

• Check the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) to verify whether there are road closures or incidents that may affect travel.

• Inform family and friends about your situation, especially when you are near areas affected by protests.

The Embassy emphasizes the importance of maintaining some flexibility in personal and travel plans, since some gatherings could take place outside the locations initially announced.

Interior and Police deny the false alerts circulating on WhatsApp

The warning from the Embassy of the United States also comes in a context of the circulation of alarmist messages about alleged disturbances during Halloween.

The Ministry of the Interior and the National Police have denied the existence of an official police alert about serious disturbances in Madrid and Sevilla that was being spread through audio messages and WhatsApp chains.

According to the information verified by VerificaRTVE, the authorities deny having issued that warning and have described as false the publications that attribute it to the police forces. Although some merchants have received preventive recommendations from agents stationed in their areas, those indications do not amount to the issuing of an official alert such as the one described by the viral messages.

The communication from the American Embassy is different from those WhatsApp chains: it is an authentic diplomatic warning addressed to its citizens, which recommends caution in the face of demonstrations, but does not confirm that a wave of looting will occur.

The distinction is relevant to prevent the circulation of unverified messages from generating additional alarm among citizens.

España remains at level 2 of the United States travel alert

The warning about the protests of October 31 is framed within the security recommendations that the U.S. Department of State maintains for España.

Currently, the United States places España at level 2 of its travel advisory system, which advises exercising increased caution. This classification, updated on August 1, 2026, considers risks related to terrorism and disturbances.

Level 2 does not mean a general recommendation to cancel trips to the country, but rather urges U.S. citizens to pay greater attention to their safety, stay informed, and follow the instructions of the authorities.

In its message this Saturday, the Embassy insists precisely on those recommendations in the face of a day marked by the Halloween celebrations, the planned gatherings and the reinforcement of police deployments in various Spanish cities.

The American diplomatic mission asks its citizens to avoid protest areas and remain attentive to possible last-minute changes, while the Spanish security forces maintain vigilance in the face of new calls spread through the internet.