News from Tenerife (#19) is published weekly as a brief news summary of the past week on your favorite website.
In this series, we publish a number of events and news facts from the past week. Each article in News from Tenerife is a synthesis of several facts, actions, and incidents that are too short to be published as a full-fledged article.
More Motorhome Parking Areas Demanded
News from Tenerife #19/1
The ACAT association called for a gathering at the El Gomero service station in La Oroteando (Las Chafiras) to organize a demonstration drive. More than 200 motorhomes and camper vehicles participated, traveling in convoy to the capital to protest. The demonstration was coordinated with other protest actions taking place simultaneously in various locations across the archipelago. Several associations, including ACAT, Amigos de AC & Campers, A.C.R.A.L. Lanzarote, Caravaning Club Isla Bonita, and the Asociación de Campistas de Fuerteventura, organized the march to bring attention to the needs of the motorhome community.
The Participants’ Demands the removal of road signs that the community considers “discriminatory and illegal. The development of suitable parking areas for motorhomes, the establishment of a network of clean points for waste disposal and amendments to the Land Use Law to facilitate the installation of camping areas on rural land.
There are no facilities for our vehicles.
The motorhome community is growing rapidly, yet there are not enough designated camper areas, apart from a few private initiatives such as Punta del Hidalgo and Camping Nauta. Currently, these two locations, along with the recently evicted lot in front of Montaña Roja in El Médano, were the only recognized spaces for this type of tourism.
Need for Clean Points
A network of clean points is urgently needed to allow for wastewater disposal and drinking water refilling. The lack of these facilities encourages inappropriate practices, harming both the environment and public spaces.
Discriminatory Parking Restrictions
Limited access to public parking garages due to height restrictions is another major concern for the motorhome community.
These practices are considered discriminatory – it is unfair to install exclusive traffic signs and restrict heights in open-air parking areas to just 2.20 meters.
The motorhome community calls for fairer regulations and better infrastructure to support this growing sector of tourism and travel.
Food Warning for Popular Chocolate Bars
News from Tenerife #19/2
A food alert has been issued in Spain, leading to the removal of certain chocolate bars from store shelves and advising against their consumption. The Spanish Food Safety and Nutrition Agency (AESAN) has published a warning regarding the presence of gluten in specific chocolate bars labeled as gluten-free.
Precautionary Measure:
People with celiac disease or gluten intolerance who have purchased this product are advised not to consume it. The alert concerns traces of gluten found in chocolate bars that were incorrectly labeled as gluten-free.
Details of the Affected Product:
Product Name:Polvera Love
Brand: Migueláñez
Packaging: Transparent plastic box
Weight per unit: 70 g
Storage: Room temperature
Batch Numbers and Expiry Dates: Batch: 2352 / Best Before: 30/06/2025 – Batch: 2502 / Best Before: 30/06/2026 – Batch: 2503 / Best Before: 30/06/2026 – Batch: 2506 / Best Before: 25/10/2026
This information has been distributed through the Coordinated Rapid Information Exchange System (SCIRI) to ensure the affected products are removed from store shelves. Consumers with gluten intolerance or celiac disease are strongly advised NOT to consume this product if they have it at home.
Canarian Wines Emerge as the Big Winners
News from Tenerife #19/3
The Canarian wineries that were awarded at the 32nd edition of the ‘Mondial des Vins Extrêmes 2024’, organized by CERVIM, recently received their certificates at Casa del Vino in El Sauzal. The awards included 56 medals (12 Grand Gold Medals and 44 Gold Medals), as well as five special distinctions.
These accolades are a testament to the exceptional quality of Canarian wine production. They deserve special recognition, as they are produced under challenging conditions, a practice known as heroic viticulture.
The most awarded wine was Malvasía Volcánica Papaino 2023 from Bodegas Gavias del Sordo (Fuerteventura, DOP Islas Canarias). Twelve Canarian wines received a Grand Gold Medal, forty-four Canarian wines won a Gold Medal.
With 56 medals and five special distinctions, the Canary Islands remain one of the most recognized wine regions in the world for heroic viticulture. Thanks to their unique volcanic soils, extreme terrain conditions, and ancient grape varieties, Canarian wines have developed a distinctive taste and an international reputation. These achievements reinforce the Canary Islands’ potential as one of the most valued wine regions in the world, where tradition and innovation come together to create exceptional wines.
National Police Dismantles Drug Trafficking Point in La Laguna
News from Tenerife #19/4
Agents of the National Police conducted an operation that led to the arrest of a suspect on charges of drug trafficking. The suspect used his residence as a distribution point for narcotics, located in a neighborhood of La Laguna. During the operation, officers seized 2,654 grams of hashish, 3.1 grams of cocaine, €8,360 in cash, and a katana—a curved Japanese sword.
The investigation began after authorities received information about the sale of synthetic drugs in a residence. After surveillance operations and the seizure of drugs from buyers, officers gathered enough evidence to request a search warrant from the competent investigating judge. This led to the arrest of the suspect and the confiscation of various narcotics. The arrested individual was handed over to the judicial authorities on charges of drug trafficking.
With this operation, an illegal drug trafficking point in La Laguna has been dismantled, making a significant contribution to the fight against drug distribution in the region. The National Police remains committed to combating organized crime and continues to work toward eradicating illegal drug distribution.
Anyone with information, suspicions, or evidence related to drug trafficking activities can report them via antidroga@policía.es.
Only 0.06% of Homes in the Canary Islands Are Squatted
News from Tenerife #19/5
According to data from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, squatting in the Canary Islands is extremely rare. In 2024, there were 663 recorded cases of home invasion and illegal occupation, which represents only 0.06% of the more than 1,088,000 homes in the archipelago. This marks a slight increase from the 581 cases in 2023.
Breakdown by Province: Las Palmas recorded the highest number: 361 cases in 2024, Santa Cruz de Tenerife registered 302 cases.
A crucial aspect of the debate is the difference between home invasion and illegal occupation (‘okupación’), which are two completely different crimes under Spanish law:
Home Invasion (Article 202 of the Penal Code)
Occurs when someone enters a legally inhabited home without permission.
Considered a serious crime.
The police can act immediately and restore the property to its rightful occupant upon receiving a complaint.
Illegal Occupation (‘Okupación’) (Article 245 of the Penal Code)
Happens when someone takes over an uninhabited property without authorization. In this case, the police cannot intervene immediately and must first obtain a court order. While home invasion allows for swift police action, illegal occupation requires a judicial process, which can delay evictions.
The Spanish Housing Law is frequently criticized by property owners, as it is perceived to favor tenants over landlords. A tenant who fails to pay rent can declare themselves vulnerable, delaying eviction proceedings. Due to this legal uncertainty, many homeowners choose to rent out their properties on platforms like Airbnbinstead of offering them as long-term rentals. These factors contribute to the rising number of vacation rentals while exacerbating housing shortages in the Canary Islands.
These events and developments significantly impact life on Tenerife and illustrate the diversity of challenges, developments, and opportunities the island faces.
News from Tenerife continues to bring you the most relevant stories from the island.
Unknown © Photography
News from Tenerife #19 ©
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