Barcelona, Spain– In a high-stakes operation, Catalan police have locked down Barcelona and expanded checkpoints across all of Catalonia in an attempt to capture Carles Puigdemont, the former Catalan president and separatist leader who has evaded Spanish authorities since 2017.
The intense manhunt, codenamed “Operatiu Gabia” or “Operation Cage,” was launched after Puigdemont made a brief but electrifying appearance in Barcelona on Thursday. Standing before thousands of cheering supporters outside the Catalan Parliament, Puigdemont declared, “Despite all the efforts to do us harm, I have come here today to remind them that we are still here and that we do not have to give up. Long live free Catalonia!”
But as quickly as he appeared, Puigdemont vanished, slipping through a crowd of supporters who formed a protective barrier around him. His sudden disappearance has left authorities scrambling, with checkpoints now set up on major highways leading out of Catalonia, including routes to France.
The Unseen Politician
The dramatic reappearance of Puigdemont, who has been living in exile in Belgium since fleeing Spain, sparked a wave of anticipation and fear among his supporters. Despite an active arrest warrant and the heavy police presence, Puigdemont managed to evade capture, adding another chapter to his already storied political career.
His return was timed to coincide with a pivotal vote in the Catalan Parliament, where Socialist candidate Salvador Illa is vying to become the next president of Catalonia, a move that could end 14 years of separatist-led governance.
Political Tensions Rise
Tensions are high as Puigdemont’s reappearance comes at a crucial political moment. Inside the Catalan Parliament, lawmakers awaited his arrival, expecting him to vote on Illa’s bid for the presidency. However, Puigdemont’s refusal to request a remote vote led to speculation that he might attempt to enter the parliament building, a move that would almost certainly result in his arrest.
Supporters outside expressed mixed emotions—hope for a dramatic return, but also fear that he could be taken into custody and transported to Madrid, where he would face the Supreme Court.
Puigdemont has been a fugitive since 2017, when he fled Spain following his role in organizing an illegal independence referendum. His return to Barcelona marks the first time he has set foot on Spanish soil in seven years, heightening the stakes in a long-standing political conflict that continues to divide Spain.
The search for Puigdemont continues, with Catalan police intensifying their efforts across the region. The outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Puigdemont’s dramatic reappearance has reignited the fierce debate over Catalonia’s future.
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