Carles Puigdemont, the former Catalonia leader and a symbol of the Catalan independence movement, made a dramatic reappearance in Barcelona on Thursday, only to pull off an equally dramatic escape, reportedly with the help of a local police officer.
Nearly seven years after fleeing Spain in the wake of a failed bid for Catalan independence, Puigdemont returned to his home region under a cloud of secrecy. His sudden appearance and subsequent disappearance sparked a citywide manhunt, reigniting tensions between Catalonia and Spain.
A Secretive Return
Puigdemont’s return to Barcelona came as a surprise to many, including law enforcement. The 61-year-old had been living in exile, primarily in Belgium, since 2017 when an independence referendum he spearheaded was declared illegal by Spain’s central government. Despite an outstanding arrest warrant, Puigdemont managed to enter the city undetected.
His visit coincided with a significant day for Catalonia, as the regional parliament was set to swear in a new president. Puigdemont had kept his travel plans under wraps, likely to avoid detection by Spanish authorities.
The Speech That Stole the Show
Puigdemont addressed a large crowd of supporters in central Barcelona, just steps away from police officers who, curiously, did not attempt to detain him. In a speech that resonated with his followers, Puigdemont condemned the Spanish government’s actions against the Catalan independence movement, accusing them of persecuting those who sought self-determination.
“For the last seven years, we have been pursued because we dared to give a voice to the Catalan people,” Puigdemont declared, his fist raised in defiance. “They have turned being Catalan into something suspicious.”
The speech, broadcast live on Spanish television, captured the nation’s attention, but what followed was even more gripping.
A Daring Getaway
After addressing the crowd, Puigdemont slipped into a nearby marquee tent, where he quickly exited through a back door and jumped into a waiting car. The vehicle sped away, eluding the police, who later admitted they hesitated to arrest Puigdemont for fear of sparking public unrest.
The Catalan police, known as Mossos d’Esquadra, arrested one of their officers on suspicion of aiding Puigdemont’s escape. The officer’s private car was allegedly used in the getaway. The Mossos briefly halted traffic checks but resumed them a few hours later as they searched for the fugitive leader across the city and on highways leading to France.
A Political Firestorm
Puigdemont’s return and escape have reignited the debate over Catalonia’s push for independence and Spain’s handling of the situation. The leader of Spain’s main opposition party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, called Puigdemont’s actions an “unbearable humiliation” for the country.
Meanwhile, the Spanish government, which has been trying to navigate the delicate issue of Catalan independence, found itself in a precarious position. The Socialist-led coalition had recently brokered a deal between the Catalan Socialist Party (PSC) and the separatist Esquerra Republicana (ERC) to ensure the election of Salvador Illa as Catalonia’s new president. Illa, in his address to the Catalan parliament, called for unity and respect for the controversial amnesty bill that could potentially absolve Puigdemont and others of crimes related to the 2017 referendum.
The Road Ahead
As Puigdemont remains at large, his future and that of Catalonia’s independence movement hang in the balance. The amnesty bill, currently under review by Spain’s Supreme Court, could play a crucial role in determining whether Puigdemont faces justice or returns to exile.
Puigdemont’s defiance continues to challenge Spain’s central government, and his daring escape has once again put Catalonia’s independence movement in the spotlight.
