[#ÓscarPuente]() # Puente defends Renfe over external rail delays 10 September 2026 at 12:42 > Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente says Renfe is not always to blame for delays, citing external factors like storms and gas leaks. Spain's Minister of Transport, **Óscar Puente**, has defended Renfe following recent disruptions, stating the operator is not always responsible for delays. Speaking to RNE on Thursday, he noted that many incidents stem from factors external to the rail service. The minister highlighted two major events on 9 September 2026: a storm in Catalonia that downed a catenary, halting Madrid-Barcelona high-speed lines, and a gas leak caused by third-party construction near Madrid's Fuencarral workshop which forced a stoppage. Puente described the railway as a highly sensitive system, distinct from road networks. He compared the situation to a recent total air traffic shutdown in the UK, arguing that infrastructure remains vulnerable to external events beyond the ministry's control. ## Related news #PortOfCeuta [#ÓscarPuente]() [#Ceuta]() 6 September 2026 at 11:34 ## [Spain takes control of Ceuta port for migrants]() > Transport Minister Óscar Puente has authorised the installation of temporary reception tents for 1,000 migrants at the port of Ceuta. [#ÓscarPuente]() [#PedroSánchez]() 24 August 2026 at 21:00 ## [Óscar Puente Eyes Future PSOE Leadership Role]() > Transport Minister Óscar Puente signals interest in succeeding Pedro Sánchez as party leader while ruling out a return to local politics.