# Inside Tenerife’s squatting crisis | Unreported World Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ikp67kuavkc Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/Ikp67kuavkc Generated: 2025-11-23T17:36:50.132+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The video documents the aggressive eviction tactics used by a property solutions company, EZ Property Solutions, run by Roberto Pérez, against squatters occupying the abandoned Grand Hotel Callao in Tenerife, which escalated into confrontations where police were called and Roberto was eventually arrested for coercion. **Key Points:** - Roberto Pérez, manager of EZ Property Solutions, leads groups in aggressive confrontations to evict squatters from the abandoned Grand Hotel Callao in Tenerife (0:00, 0:07). - Squatters, including families who fled Colombia, claim they are vulnerable, living in makeshift shelters (13:34) and paying high rents elsewhere, while Roberto argues he is helping by offering social housing or money to leave (02:04, 02:51, 05:49). - One resident, Yaneth Gonzalez, earns 1200 euros and is charged 1000 euros in rent by the squatters' group, highlighting the extreme housing crisis where rental costs are exorbitant (03:59, 05:22). - The eviction process involved blocking access to the garage (06:23) and using confrontational tactics, leading to the police arresting Roberto for coercion (00:15, 20:32). - The hotel, which has 92 bedrooms and covers 40,000 square meters, was taken over by squatters earlier in the year (07:51, 07:30). - The property owner's representative, Roberto, claims they are working within the law, but the Spanish constitution guarantees the right to a home, which is being exploited by the situation (09:54, 10:06). - The evicted squatters face further uncertainty, as they cannot afford alternative housing due to low wages and high rental costs (13:31, 14:16). ![Screenshot at 00:07: A tense confrontation erupts as Roberto Pérez, wearing a tactical vest labeled 'GERENTE' and surrounded by his large, black-clad staff, aggressively confronts two women outside a building, demanding to know how long they have occupied the property without paying.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Ikp67kuavkc/00-00-07.png) **Context:** This documentary segment investigates the severe housing crisis in Tenerife, Canary Islands, exacerbated by the influx of tourism, which drives up rental costs and leads to property occupations (squatting). The video focuses on the conflict surrounding the abandoned Grand Hotel Callao, which was occupied by a group of vulnerable people, including families, who were forcibly evicted by a private property solutions company led by Roberto Pérez, resulting in police intervention and arrests. ## Detailed Analysis The video documents the escalating conflict over the abandoned Grand Hotel Callao in Tenerife, focusing on the eviction efforts led by Roberto Pérez, manager of EZ Property Solutions. Pérez and his heavily built staff, wearing tactical vests labeled 'STAFF' or 'GERENTE', employ aggressive tactics to remove squatters (0:00, 21:09). The squatters, some of whom are families who fled Colombia (03:58), claim they are desperate and vulnerable due to the high cost of living, with one resident stating she earns 1200 euros but is charged 1000 euros in rent by the occupying group (05:22). The squatters argue they are not criminals and simply need housing, pointing out that the Spanish constitution guarantees this right (03:04, 04:54). In contrast, Roberto Pérez claims his company is helping by offering social housing solutions or money to leave (02:04, 05:49), while simultaneously sealing off the building's garage (06:23). The situation frequently involves verbal confrontations, intimidation (21:17), and a direct clash with the Guardia Civil when they arrive to process an arrest (00:14, 20:32). Roberto himself is later seen being arrested by the Guardia Civil for coercion (20:34). The Canary Islands Housing Minister, Pablo Rodriguez, acknowledges that the number of rental properties has fallen by up to 70% due to the high demand from tourism, which he admits often obstructs housing priorities (15:50, 16:06). The video concludes by showing the destruction inside the hotel (12:38) and the eviction process where residents are forcibly removed, highlighting the severe social tension caused by the housing shortage. ### Eviction Confrontation - Roberto Pérez, wearing a 'GERENTE' vest, leads a group of heavily built men in black tactical gear to confront squatters, demanding rent payments and threatening eviction (0:00, 0:07, 21:09). ### Squatters' Plight - Residents, including families who immigrated from Colombia, describe their desperation, citing high rents (1000 euros on a 1200 euro salary) and the lack of legal housing options (05:22, 05:57). ### Property Damage & Tactics - Footage shows the abandoned Grand Hotel Callao in a state of disrepair (07:51) and the illegal actions of the eviction team, such as blocking access to the garage (06:23) and using pepper spray on detained officers (21:24). ### Roberto's Arrest - During the forced removal of occupants, Roberto Pérez is arrested by the Guardia Civil for coercion (20:34), despite his claims that his actions are necessary and that he has never been convicted for his work (16:46). ### Political Context - The Canary Islands Housing Minister, Pablo Rodriguez, admits tourism is essential but acknowledges that the drop in rental properties (down 70%) and population growth (up 20,000 in the last year) is creating a crisis (15:50, 15:57). ### Aftermath - Even after the police intervention and Roberto's arrest, the eviction team returns to finish clearing the property, showing the ongoing nature of the conflict (22:31). ![Screenshot at 0:00: A group of men wearing black tactical gear and vests labeled 'STAFF' or 'GERENTE' march down a residential street towards a building, signaling an organized operation.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Ikp67kuavkc/00-00-00.png) ![Screenshot at 0:14: Roberto Pérez, wearing a tactical vest, confronts a woman while a large group of his staff surrounds them during the initial eviction attempt.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Ikp67kuavkc/00-00-14.png) ![Screenshot at 07:51: An aerial view shows the abandoned Grand Hotel Callao, featuring dry grounds, an empty pool, and makeshift structures built from pallets, contrasting with the surrounding resorts.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Ikp67kuavkc/00-07-51.png) ![Screenshot at 16:36: A close-up shot focuses on an electronic ankle monitor being placed on the ankle of one of Roberto's men, indicating legal restrictions or monitoring for some involved.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Ikp67kuavkc/00-16-36.png) ![Screenshot at 20:34: Roberto Pérez is forcefully handcuffed by a Guardia Civil officer in a narrow hallway while surrounded by his staff and the journalist, escalating the confrontation to official police action.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Ikp67kuavkc/00-20-34.png)