After two days of tractor movements, agricultural groups take the lead in protests
On the third day of action, the primary sector intensified its mobilization. Despite road closures in the first two days, tensions rose again this Thursday. Protests led to a rise in detentions, with 19 people held in connection with the demonstrations. Authorities identified about 2,700 participants and logged nearly 5,000 administrative complaints. The provisional tally from the Ministry of Internal Affairs showed seven more arrests than the previous night, adding to two arrests for disobedience recorded on Tuesday. Pamplona, Oviedo, and Zafra in Badajoz stood out as hotspot centers where a civilian guard was slightly hurt after being struck by a stone.
After two days of tractor movements, agricultural organizations took over the protests
Rural protests spread to Barcelona and shift focus toward Madrid
Farmers voiced their concerns as the mobilization calendar officially began this Thursday. Road closures affected around eight autonomous communities as demonstrators pressed for changes in how the sector operates. Key goals include cutting bureaucratic burdens and tightening oversight on non-EU imports that bypass EU product rules. European issues were frequently cited in discussions about policy and market access.
Associations urged participation in Ciudad Real, Huesca, Salamanca, and Ávila; however, road blockages also appeared in Extremadura, Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Andalusia, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Aragon, and Navarra. Clashes between protesters and police occurred in Logroño and Pamplona. A group of farmers demonstrated with tractors near the Navarra regional government building, while others halted traffic along the A-12 toward Pamplona to challenge blocked Civil Guard vehicles.
The situation in Oviedo saw hundreds of landowners and farmers march in protest, with clashes reported as officers maintained crowd control. The critical moments centered around 13:30 when activists attempted to assemble in front of the Principality General Assembly. Law enforcement blocked access to the street, creating a secured perimeter, and some officers used batons to keep the passage clear. Other incidents occurred in Burgos and El Ejido, where arrests and disobedience charges were filed for attempts to hinder traffic on major routes. A tense moment near Zafra on the A-66 also led to a guard being struck by stones amid ongoing accusations.
In Barcelona, farmers met with Catalan Parliament delegates. One participant, Joan Rui from the 6F platform, announced that a review of drought emergency measures, outstanding aid payments from the last two years, and reduction of bureaucratic burdens were prioritized through talks with regional authorities. Fewer restrictions were expected to ease immediate strain on farmers.
Subsequent mobilizations
An official mobilization call for Friday came from Asaja, COAG, and UPA in Zamora, Bilbao, and Extremadura. Spokesperson Íñigo Bilbao, a farmer from Biscay, described plans for a slightly smaller demonstration in Bilbao, noting an expected presence of around 70 tractors. The aim was to convey concerns about bureaucratic burdens, fair prices for producers, and a measured approach to EU green policies while remaining accessible to residents.
Authorities reminded the public that sanctions would be processed for road closures, with discussions continuing about unauthorized protests linked to platform 6F. Organizers reportedly planned a larger demonstration in Madrid on the following Saturday, including a march toward the PSOE headquarters in Ferraz.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has monitored developments since Tuesday through a coordination center, with participation from the National Police, Civil Guard, regional police, and transportation authorities. The goal remains to balance the right to protest with the protection of essential services and citizen mobility. President Fernando Grande-Marlaska emphasized that the government seeks to address rural sector demands while keeping daily life uninterrupted.
Participation discussions on February 13 addressed labor shortages in the rural sector and projected job losses, underscoring the need for practical policies to stabilize farming livelihoods over the coming decade.