An 87-year-old resident of Madrid’s Retiro district, Maricarmen, faced a fourth and final eviction attempt at 07:30 on Wednesday. Riot police established a cordon at 46 Alcalde Sainz de Baranda street, where 300 protesters gathered to resist the forced removal.
The property was leased by Maricarmen’s father in 1956, with the contract later subrogated to her under old rent terms. Following a 2018 ownership transfer to Urbagestión, the Supreme Court ruled for the investor despite claims of a 275% rent hike demand.
Maricarmen, who has a 50% disability, has lived there for 70 years. The United Nations urged Spain to halt the eviction, yet authorities have reportedly offered no housing alternative beyond a private residence costing 1,200 euros, according to the union.