provocateurs
A violent incident occurred at a Cuban restaurant within Madrid’s San Fernando de Lavapiés Market last Saturday night. Local administrator Lázaro Miguelez framed the event as part of an ongoing pattern of threats and verbal intimidation linked to his leadership of a Madrid movement opposing the Cuban dictatorship and Castroism. He stressed that the episode aligns with the hostility faced since the market’s opening more than a year ago.
Informants with the National Police reported that about ten individuals attacked the Apululu restaurant, located in the market’s central square. Two waiters sustained bruises and cuts and were taken to Hospital de la Concepción for treatment. Miguelez recalled that the assailants sat near the establishment, mocked the staff, and at one point formed a circle around them, shouting phrases like “fascists out.” The tense moment escalated despite attempts to de-escalate, with gestures of reconciliation captured on video and witnessed in person.
provocateurs
Market representatives indicated that those involved had been identified among people seen in the area. They noted that chairs and glasses were broken and that the attackers had ties to a range of local businesses, from food stalls to a secondhand bookshop and a spectrum of traditional eateries. The organization’s spokesperson acknowledged prior provocations but emphasized that the restaurant was gradually returning to normal operations as investigations proceed.
A waiter at a nearby bar described the events as outrageous and damaging to the market’s reputation. “As a market, this does harm,” he said. Another market worker remained cautious, observing that many traders preferred to stay silent afterwards and avoid media attention.
The local representative added that sectarian leftist elements were reportedly backed by certain communist movements. He noted that the group had filed a sixth formal complaint with the National Police about the incidents and that officers from the Prensa Ibérica group confirmed ongoing police investigations, although no arrests had been reported at the time.
Miguelez stressed that, although the group is known for anti-C Castro activism, politics has not permeated the market environment and that Apululu views itself primarily as a space for business.
Villacís’ visit
On Sunday, Madrid’s deputy mayor, Begoña Villacís, visited the market to express support for those affected. She described Apululu Bar as a Cuban corner where freedom remains visible in the heart of Lavapiés, noting that some individuals cannot tolerate its presence or its fight for freedom. Villacís added that she aimed to stand in solidarity with the community, pointing to recent demonstrations in which supporters identified themselves as backing the market and its patrons.
Villacís concluded by underscoring that the market is a place where liberty is evident, while also acknowledging the sensitivity of the situation. The incident has sparked ongoing dialogue about public safety, political expression, and the balance between peaceful protest and intimidation in urban spaces. The slogans seen during Cuba’s July 2021 demonstrations resurfaced in discussions, reminding observers of long-standing tensions that echo through diverse communities. Market workers explained that local customers frequently interacted with the bar, and certain phrases related to the incident circulated among patrons, highlighting the charged atmosphere surrounding the dispute. The broader takeaway for market stakeholders is clear: preserving a space for commerce, dialogue, and respectful disagreement remains essential, even amid strong political passions. [Cited from El Periódico de España]”