A family identified by locals as having Cuban origins was evicted this Thursday from a house they had unlawfully occupied in Garcihernández, a small town in the Tierra de Alba region of Salamanca province, home to just over 400 residents.
The situation kept the community on edge for over fifteen hours and prompted a significant mobilization of local residents.
How the Occupation Unfolded
On Wednesday afternoon, in broad daylight, a group broke the lock on a patio door with a grinder to enter a house on Plata Street, as reported by Salamanca24horas and La Gaceta de Salamanca.
A neighbor had noticed a man and a woman surveying the area before forcing their way in.
The property, previously owned by the deceased uncle of Margarita, one of the owners, had been listed for sale just that Monday and still displayed a "FOR SALE" sign on its facade.
"He claimed to have been here for three days, which is utterly false, as the house is for sale and the real estate agency was here yesterday," Margarita stated on the Instagram account @instaradioarte, according to La Gaceta de Salamanca.
Identifying the Occupants
Clarification is necessary regarding the reported Cuban nationality of the family.
Only neighbors and Margarita, as per Salamanca24horas, attribute Cuban origins to the occupants.
Neither La Gaceta de Salamanca, El Español, nor Salamanca RTV al Día identified the occupants as Cuban, nor did the Civil Guard confirm this detail.
Regarding the group's composition, details varied throughout the day: Margarita initially reported two adults, three minors, and a dog, whereas Salamanca24horas later reported four adults and four minors leaving the premises.
A Night of Tension and Law Enforcement Response
Upon learning of the occupation, dozens of locals gathered spontaneously outside the house, demanding loudly that the occupants vacate the premises.
Tensions rose when a man emerged holding a screwdriver while residents pressed for their departure.
The Civil Guard deployed up to eight patrols to calm the situation and prevent a direct confrontation.
The occupants barricaded the windows with furniture and lowered the blinds to hinder street access, arguing that since it wasn't a primary residence, their entry didn't constitute a criminal offense of trespassing.
The Civil Guard also informed the owners that other attempts had been made to enter more homes in the town that night.
The local government used social media to alert residents: "We recommend anyone with a house of this type to try to protect it," stated the municipal accounts.
Eviction and Owner's Relief
After several hours of negotiation on Thursday, the occupants informed the officers they intended to collect their belongings and leave.
Just before 3:00 PM, the family exited the house to the applause of the gathered neighbors.
According to Salamanca24horas, the occupants were transported by the Civil Guard to the city of Salamanca, where an NGO would provide assistance.
Margarita was visibly emotional upon receiving the news.
"We did it," she told La Gaceta de Salamanca, expressing gratitude for the community's support, the officers' intervention, and media coverage.
Other Incidents Involving Cuban Nationals in Spain
The Garcihernández case isn't the first in Spain involving Cuban nationals in illegal occupation situations.
In January 2026, a Cuban woman with two young children barricaded herself in a luxury home with a pool in Mallorca, while the owners incurred over 1,000 euros monthly in expenses without receiving rent.
In November 2024, Spain deported a Cuban who had been occupying luxury villas in Marbella and Estepona for years, renting them to drug traffickers.
Understanding the Cuban Presence in Spanish Occupation Cases
Why was the family in Garcihernández identified as Cuban?
The family's Cuban identity was attributed by local residents and one of the property owners, but official sources did not confirm this detail.
How did the Civil Guard handle the situation?
The Civil Guard deployed eight patrols to manage the situation, ensuring safety and preventing direct confrontations between residents and the occupants.
What actions were taken by the local authorities?
Local authorities advised residents to secure their properties through social media alerts, in light of the occupation attempts.