AP-7 remained open in the morning hours but near La Jonquera disruptions continued in both directions due to protests by French farmers in Le Boulou. The situation unfolded as demonstrations slowed traffic and forced re-routing in several corridors between Spain and France. Local authorities described persistent delays and cautioned travelers to expect evolving conditions as protests tipped the balance of normal flows along the border region.
Minutes dwindled before 11:30 as vehicles gathered near exit 3, with authorities indicating that the immediate diversion from that exit would end surveillance of the 2 kilometer section. Traffic management agencies reported that no vehicles would need to pass through exit 3 anymore, while caution remained in effect for drivers navigating the area. SCT, the Catalan Traffic Service, issued guidance to travelers regarding the evolving closure patterns and the best routes to minimize delays.
By Friday noon, traffic had been halted along segments of the border route, creating a difficult scenario for transporters who faced overnight parking in service areas around La Jonquera and adjoining towns. The disruption also affected secondary routes towards France, with trucks and other heavy vehicles queuing in multiple lots, awaiting conditions to improve and a restart of cross-border movement. In this context, AP-9 and related connectors between Spain and France remained restricted toward El Voló as authorities evaluated alternate arrangements for freight and commuter traffic.
The protests, staged on Friday night in France, were organized by the National Federation of Agricultural Business Associations and Young Farmers, the sector’s lead unions. Demonstrations spread across the country even as the government urged restraint and sought to keep essential supply chains running. Across regions, organizers called for continued mobilization despite official statements urging calm.
Macron concessions
The government announced a set of measures on Friday intended to calm the protests and sustain agricultural activity. Despite these steps, unions representing the sector argued the actions were insufficient and pressed for broader changes. Roadblocks and demonstrations persisted in many areas as the debate over policy, pricing, and supply chain management continued to unfold.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal highlighted steps such as limiting diesel price increases for agricultural use and reiterated opposition to a proposed EU Mercosur agreement. He acknowledged the need to balance negotiation processes among producers, distributors, and state support measures. In remarks during a visit to a farmer in Montastruc-de-Salies, Attal stressed improved oversight of negotiations, targeted aid for sectors including organic farming, and a simplification of administrative procedures.
black friday
Roadblocks appeared across multiple corridors for a period of several days, with traffic on many highways eventually returning to normal. Still, the early hours of Friday saw some main transport routes to Paris affected as authorities worked to reestablish flow and ensure safe passage for travelers and freight alike.
La Jonquera border crossings faced intense scrutiny as authorities prepared for potential escalations and coordinated responses. While police and gendarmes reportedly avoided dispersal plans, isolated acts of vandalism were documented in some areas, underscoring the fragility of the situation and the need for continued monitoring by law enforcement and civil authorities.
Mobilizations by French agricultural unions effectively halted major national roads in several locations, transferring pressure onto border crossings. The La Jonquera situation, paired with related closures along the A9 near El Pertús and other key nodes, illustrated the broader challenge of maintaining cross-border mobility during sustained protests. In Narbonne, authorities reported acts tied to broader tensions, highlighting the risks associated with protests during peak travel periods.
The scale of disruption along southern routes, including the A9 and A7 corridors, reached hundreds of kilometers of affected roadways. A spokesperson for Vinci Autoroutes noted that the extent and duration of the protests were unprecedented, signaling significant implications for freight movements and regional logistics. Some sectors reported that winemakers and local producers faced interruptions to distribution channels during the period of unrest, prompting calls for orderly negotiation and rapid resumption of normal operations.