Catalonia's Political Drama: Puigdemont's Return and Controversial Escape
On Thursday, as drama unfolded in the streets of Barcelona, a member of the Mossos d'Esquadra was arrested for allegedly facilitating the escape of Carles Puigdemont, the former president of Catalonia, shortly after he emerged from five years of self-imposed exile. The incident took place against the backdrop of a significant political moment – the investiture debate of Salvador Illa, which underscored the tensions surrounding Catalonia's ongoing independence movement.
At approximately 9 AM, Puigdemont was spotted on Trafalgar Street, accompanied by prominent members of his political party, Junts per Catalunya (JxCat), including representatives like Josep Rull, Jordi Turull, Laura Borràs, and Artur Mas. The former president made a brief appearance at an event organized by the Consell de la República at the Arc de Triomf, where he addressed around 3,500 supporters. During his speech, Puigdemont reiterated his commitment to the cause, stating, "We are still here. Today many will want to celebrate that I will be arrested. But it will never be a crime to call for a referendum."
However, the expected confrontation with police forces never took place. Puigdemont, who had initially planned to attend the investiture session at the Parliament, managed to evade a police cordon set up by the Mossos d'Esquadra. Instead of facing arrest, he was whisked away in a white vehicle, purportedly provided by the very police force charged with detaining him.
Sources indicate that the convoy traveled a route that included taking multiple turns in the opposite direction and passing a local police station, before losing its way near Rodalies. This raises serious questions about the operational effectiveness of the Mossos d'Esquadra in handling high-profile political situations. Following the incident, criticism from the National Police union, Jupol, was swift. The organization lambasted the Ministry of the Interior, likening the situation to earlier mismanagement of the 2017 illegal referendum, and questioned the competency of the Catalan police to fulfill their duties.
In response to the growing discontent, the rival union, Jusapol, underscored the fiscal implications by highlighting that the Mossos d'Esquadra are among the highest-paid police forces in Spain, yet have failed to apprehend what they termed a "coup plotter". This situation has intensified the scrutiny of the Mossos' capabilities, further polarizing an already divided political landscape in Spain.
As Catalonia's autonomy continues to spark debate and dissent, Puigdemont's escape has reignited discussions around issues of governance, policing, and the future of the independence movement. With protests and political maneuvering likely to continue, the stakes remain high as both sides grapple with the ramifications of Puigdemont's return and the failures that allowed him to evade arrest once again.
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