During a General strike in Spain there were arrests and police operations on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. In Madrid, according to the news agency EFE, 13 people needed medical attention after police used pepper spray They received medical attention. In Andalusia, politicians accused the police of misconduct.
The strike is directed, among other things, against the difficulties in accessing housing. It was called by Trade unions and tenants’ organisations. It is the first nationwide general strike since 2012 to be jointly backed by the two major trade unions, Comisiones Obreras and Unión General de Trabajadores.
At the wholesale market Mercamadrid police used pepper spray during a protest. EFE reported that one person was arrested and 13 received medical attention. The unions criticised the actions of the security forces. Unai Sordo, Secretary-General of Comisiones Obreras, announced, according to the public broadcaster RTVE, that legal action over the police operations was being considered.
In Granada, Néstor Salvador, organisational secretary of the party Adelante Andalucía, said that a police officer had hit him on the ribs during a strike action at the metro depots. The newspaper El País reported, citing a hospital report presented by Salvador, that radiology had indicated a possible fracture of the fourth rib on the right. A fracture was therefore not confirmed. Salvador announced that he would file a complaint and denied that the protesters had used violence.
According to an interim report cited by EFE, referring to the Interior Ministry, the National Police and Guardia Civil arrested 26 people. In addition, according to the Basque regional police, there were 13 arrests in the Basque Countryby 1.30 pm. The regional police also said that seven of its officers had been injured and taken for treatment. In Catalonia EFE reported one further arrest. The figures refer to different jurisdictions and times of reporting; they do not represent a final nationwide tally.
Assessments of participation in the walkout differ. Union leaders described the strike as a success, according to RTVE, but acknowledged differences between regions and sectors. The employers’ association, by contrast, said participation was generally low, though higher in areas with stronger union organisation.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).