Rural communities took to the streets with roads in mind. It happened across Spain, including the Alicante province, to condemn the critical state of the sector and press for mitigating measures from the European Union, the central government, and the autonomous communities. Although these early mobilizations were organized through social networks, agricultural professional bodies did not back them and instead distanced themselves from the planned roadmap. In Alicante, the plan called for a major protest on the 16th that would disrupt the A-7 and other routes.
The calls made via messaging groups drew a strong response in Vega Baja around Tuesday afternoon. About 70 tractors gathered in Albatera and began a march with protest banners, moving toward Orihuela along the N-340 and CV-930, among other roads, causing notable traffic delays. Afterward, they retraced the route in reverse.
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In any case, the tow truck did not form part of the joint action plan supported by AVA-Asaja, La Unió, COAG, UPA-PV and Asaja Alicante. In fact, this last organization labeled the protest as a spontaneous movement lacking permission from the Government Delegation, while the professional groups continued with the roadmap drawn up last week, which included three large mobilization days in each province of the Valencian Community.
In Alicante, the mobilization was scheduled for February 16 and, as stated by Asaja Alicante president José Vicente Andreu, would directly affect the A-7 and other routes. The aim was to have a tractor-trailer traversing a segment of this highway in Vega Baja, where most agricultural activity in the province is concentrated. The event was originally planned for the 12th of the month but was postponed to secure the necessary permissions from the Government Board. Meanwhile, in Castellón the protest would take place at the port on the 15th, and in Valencia the call was planned for the port facilities on the 22nd.
On Tuesday, in the Valencia province, dozens of tractors hit main roads from dawn, creating massive traffic jams even in the regional capital. As in Alicante, both agricultural groups and political leaders supported the sector’s concerns, though they avoided endorsing the methods. The farmers argued that requests must be submitted through proper legal channels with public consent.
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The protest was organized by Platform 6F, which presented itself as an activist group linked to a far-right faction, with spokesperson Lola Guzmán representing the Valencian side. The movement was founded in Madrid to address administrations that mobilize calls via social networks and apps like WhatsApp. Industry insiders explain that discussions in these groups began with farming topics and eventually led to conspiracy ideas about weather manipulation or anti-vaccine stances.
Participants are aware that a far-right element underpins the protests within the sector, as reflected in some speeches. Yet the crowd’s size indicates participation from within Valencian organizations such as AVA-Asaja or La Unió. Those who joined the action to vent frustration also accused these associations of striking secret deals with political power.
The roads stayed blocked across the province in the early hours. Entrances to Valencia city, including the CV-30 around the ring road and the northern section of the same highway, were heavily affected. The disruption reached streets such as Avenida del Doctor Peset Aleixandre and Avenida de Catalunya, with further traffic snarls on Paterna and Moncada roads.
Across the country, mobilizations spread to many regions. Notable were blockades at the port of Malaga and at the access points to Mercazaragoza and other logistics hubs in Castilla y León.
Mazon
In this context, Generalitat president Carlos Mazón urged the central government to take a strong stance against the attacks on agriculture and fisheries in the Community.
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Regarding today, the Government Sub-Delegation was informed about a new protest action in the province of Alicante. It is planned for four in the afternoon, stretching from the La Granadina industrial area in San Isidro to Rojales. Three more events are planned in Castellón, with none announced in Valencia.
Farmers demand full compliance with the Food Chain Law, a shock plan to counter rising production costs, and a real shift in European policies to ensure reciprocity in trade agreements with third countries.