Puigdemont's daring escape in Barcelona

Former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, a prominent separatist leader, made a dramatic return to Barcelona on August 8, delivering a speech to approximately 3,500 supporters at the Arc de Triomf, despite being under a national arrest warrant. His appearance coincided with the inauguration of Socialist Salvador Illa as the new Catalan president, a move seen as a setback for the independence movement. Puigdemont's rally was marked by his declaration, “Long live free Catalonia,” before he managed to slip away from the police presence, prompting the Mossos d'Esquadra to initiate Operation ‘Jaula’ to locate him. The Spanish authorities faced embarrassment as Puigdemont roamed freely in the city, evading capture once again. His ability to hold a rally near the parliament has drawn criticism from political opponents, who labeled the situation a "democratic anomaly." The stability of the ruling PSOE-Sumar coalition hinges on the support of Puigdemont's party, Together for Catalonia (JxCat), and the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), making his arrest a politically sensitive issue. Following his brief appearance, Puigdemont reportedly fled to Belgium, where he has been living in self-imposed exile since 2017. His return was interpreted by some as an attempt to regain relevance in the Catalan independence movement, which has seen dwindling support. The regional police have since arrested two officers linked to Puigdemont's escape, intensifying scrutiny on the police's handling of the situation. As the political landscape in Catalonia shifts with Illa's leadership, Puigdemont's actions have reignited discussions about the independence movement and the ongoing tensions between separatists and the Spanish government.