In the last few days, a video has been circulating on social media showing a group of people smashing windows and setting fire to rent-a-cars in the south of Tenerife, belonging to Cicar, a Canary Islands-based car rental company, which is considered a key player in the region’s tourism industry.
While no group has claimed responsibility for the vandalism, various Tenerife-based social media accounts run by environmental and anti-tourism activists have shared the video.
The accompanying text states: “We have received this video from Canary Islands activists, exhausted by mass tourism, overpopulation in their neighbourhoods, and the complete lack of redistribution of the so-called wealth generated by tourism.”
According to local media reports, the case is now under investigation by the National Police, which is looking into whether last week’s damage to twenty rent-a-cars was the work of activists.
A Fed Up Population
“Peaceful means have been exhausted,” said activist Roberto Mesa, who shared the video on social media. Though he claims to have no direct knowledge of the perpetrators, he insists that the local population is frustrated by being ignored and having their peaceful protests disregarded. He stressed that this is merely his personal opinion.
Within the past two weeks, there have been three incidents that Mesa describes as “unprecedented in the Canary Islands.” These include graffiti outside Loro Parque, which activists have dubbed “Loro Prison,” as well as the burning of construction equipment involved in controversial developments at Puertito de Adeje.
Cuna del Alma Development
At the end of February, the Tenerife Business Confederation (CEOE) denounced an arson attack on construction machinery at the controversial Cuna del Alma development in the south of Tenerife. Images shared by the business association show construction equipment visibly damaged by fire.
Loro Parque Protests
Loro Parque, a well-known zoo in Tenerife, was recently defaced with graffiti targeting its owner, Wolfgang Kiessling. The messages accused him of being a “murderer” and included direct threats such as “We are coming for you.”
While protests against Loro Parque are not new, a representative from the organisation said that violent actions had not been seen for several years. However, environmental activists regularly demonstrate outside the facility.
Rental Car Attack
The latest act of vandalism reportedly occurred in the early hours of 5th March in a car park used by multiple vehicle rental companies in Costa Adeje. Activists justified their actions by stating, “We have nowhere to park, nowhere to live in peace.”
Mesa highlighted the high density of vehicles in the region, stating, “We don’t need more roads, we need fewer rental cars. If the Canary Islands were a country, it would rank seventh in the world in terms of the number of cars against the number of people.” He concluded with a warning: “Unfortunately, I believe that if no changes are made, things will only get worse.”
