Alert in El Castillo as new wave of thefts and vandalism erupts

The security door, smashed by blows, with broken glass on the floor, bloodstains and an empty cash box, was the scene this morning at the Amares restaurant in the El Castillo beach area. In addition to the damage, the owners are losing revenue because they cannot open their doors during the holiday weekend.

Unfortunately, the same scene has been repeated in nearby establishments such as Smile and La Frasquita. Inside the town, other well‑known restaurants suffered the same fate weeks ago. Some have even recorded three robberies in just two months, business owners say. “Practically every establishment has been hit, and not just once.”

There is growing concern among the sector, which has been denouncing the situation and demanding security for months without results. “We see no way out if this continues for another year,” they lament.

The anger is directed especially at the Antigua City Council.

AECA president Eduard Van der Veen points to the Local Police and Mayor Matías Peña as the municipal authorities ultimately responsible for security, and regrets that a direct meeting has never taken place despite long‑standing requests from the business association.

In a meeting with the island director of the General State Administration, he said:

“They were surprised that there were no complaints from the Local Police or the mayor,”

He added that the lack of security affects not only businesses but also residents. “Women at the meeting explained that they had been offered drugs in front of their daughters,” he asserted.

More than a year ago, the Antigua Business and Traders Association warned La Voz de Fuerteventura about a “out‑of‑control” situation in Caleta de Fuste, citing robberies, intimidation and fights that were frightening residents, tourists and entrepreneurs.

Broken glass at the Salinas restaurant in Antigua

In March 2026, the association’s president, Eduard Van der Veen, raised his voice again after presenting an independent study on El Castillo. He then declared that “the reality in El Castillo is more worrying” than previously reported, referring to the structural problems of the tourist hub and the administrations’ lack of response. This silence only deepens the anxiety of both business owners and local residents.