On Rural Land Occupation: First a Warning, Then a Penalty

The Cabildo of Fuerteventura, the Government of the Canary Islands, local municipalities and SEPRONA (the environmental unit of the Civil Guard) gathered to coordinate actions aimed at stopping the spread of unauthorized installations on rural land. Officials Miranda, García and Peña highlighted the issue and issued a warning to violators.

Press Release

The Cabildo of Fuerteventura, the Government of the Canary Islands and the six municipalities of the island held a working meeting on Thursday, 5 February, to share and evaluate actions taken against the proliferation of illegal structures on rural land that threaten natural values, planning regulations and biodiversity.

The meeting is part of the action plan launched by the Cabildo together with the Ministry of Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion and Water, the Canary Islands Agency for Natural Environment Protection and the municipalities.

Representatives of the local police, the Civil Guard and the Cabildo’s environmental agents attended, intensifying surveillance across the island against the spread of caravans, containers, prefabricated houses and other structures that breach urban‑planning and environmental regulations.

Officials Issue a Warning

Miranda, García and Peña addressed the media, warning that offenders can face fines of up to €200,000. They explained the penalty amounts, the typical profile of violators, and alternative measures for socially vulnerable cases.

Statements from the Leaders

Lola García, President of the Cabildo:
“Joint coordination among administrations is essential, strengthening surveillance and carrying out preventive actions to inform the public.”
In the first phase, the aim is to achieve voluntary removal of containers by the offenders. If that fails, the violations are reported. Since the campaign began in 2023, the Cabildo has processed more than 700 complaints. “We must also push for faster processing of these cases so that sanctions are effective,” García added.

Manuel Miranda, Minister of Territorial Policy, Cohesion and Water:
“We need to keep educating citizens about the importance of preserving the territory. Beyond administrative fines, many violations constitute criminal offences.”

Javier Peña, Colonel and Head of the Las Palmas Civil Guard Command:
“This meeting deepened coordination with all involved actors. SEPRONA, together with local police and environmental agents, has already carried out substantial interventions, and we are seeking new ways to prioritize the most critical areas.”

The meeting also included Montserrat Ortega, Director of the Canary Islands Agency for Natural Environment Protection; Carlos Rodríguez, Minister of the Environment; and the mayors of Pájara (Alejandro Jorge), Puerto del Rosario (David de Vera) and other municipal representatives.

Ongoing Awareness Campaign

Parallel to the meeting, the Cabildo has launched an information campaign about the prohibitions and penalties applicable to rural land. The rules are defined by the Land Law and the Law on Protected Natural Spaces of the Canary Islands, with fines that can exceed €200,000. Unauthorized constructions on rural land are also punishable under the Organic Penal Code.