Carles Puigdemont, the former president of Catalonia, has returned to the region, defying a Spanish arrest warrant. Puigdemont had been living in self-imposed exile in Belgium since 2017, following Catalonia’s failed bid for independence from Spain.
Puigdemont’s return comes just days after the Spanish Supreme Court issued a European Arrest Warrant for him and several other Catalan separatist leaders, who were sentenced to prison for their roles in the 2017 independence referendum.
Upon his arrival in Catalonia, Puigdemont was met with a warm welcome from supporters who gathered at the airport to greet him. He wasted no time in making his intentions clear, stating that he plans to continue the fight for Catalan independence.
The Spanish government has condemned Puigdemont’s return, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez calling it a “provocation.” The government has also reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law and the unity of Spain.
Puigdemont’s return has reignited tensions in Catalonia, where the issue of independence remains deeply divisive. While some Catalans view him as a hero fighting for their right to self-determination, others see him as a troublemaker who has caused unnecessary turmoil in the region.
The situation is further complicated by the upcoming Catalan regional elections, scheduled for February 14th. Puigdemont has indicated that he will be running in the election, which is likely to further escalate tensions between pro-independence and pro-unity factions in Catalonia.
It remains to be seen how the Spanish government will respond to Puigdemont’s return, and whether they will seek to arrest him and extradite him to Spain to serve his prison sentence. In the meantime, Puigdemont’s presence in Catalonia is sure to keep the issue of independence in the spotlight, and could potentially lead to further unrest in the region.