The recent increase in shootings in Marbella, Spain has sparked political controversy between the city’s Mayor, Ángeles Muñoz (PP), and the government of Pedro Sánchez. Six shootings in less than two months have deepened the divide between the two administrations. The Mayor, usually restrained in her comments on organized crime, stated that the city “must be a priority” for the National Police following the recent shootings. The Deputy Government Delegate, Javier Salas, responded harshly, calling Muñoz’s statements “unpresentable and unworthy” as the city is already a priority for law enforcement. The implementation of the Marbella Plan, focused on combating criminal organizations, has been recently initiated due to the increasing use of firearms by gang members.
A 34-year-old Albanian man was seriously injured in a shooting at a restaurant in the luxury area of Guadalmina in Marbella. This incident marks the sixth shooting in the city in two months, with four young men injured in total. Police sources attribute this situation to the presence of numerous criminal groups in Marbella, their disputes over territory and merchandise, and the ease with which these young narcotraffickers use weapons to resolve conflicts. Mayor Muñoz has called for “measures” to address the frequent incidents involving firearms in the city and emphasize the importance of cooperation between National Police and Local Police to prevent damage to Marbella’s reputation as a tourist destination. A member of the provincial Senate of Málaga also warned of the rising criminality in the province, including robberies, narcoboats arriving in Manilva, and the shootings in Marbella.
The response from the Government came two days later, with Deputy Delegate Javier Salas accusing Mayor Muñoz of disrespecting the Police Nacional with her comments. He stated that Marbella is already a priority for law enforcement and criticized the Mayor for “enmeshing and confronting” with the Spanish Government. Salas also mentioned the alleged involvement of Muñoz’s family members in a money laundering and drug trafficking scheme for which the Prosecution is seeking a 22-year sentence for her stepson. The Ministry of the Interior implemented the Marbella Plan last week as a response to the surge in shootings, deploying additional police officers from Granada and Almería to enhance surveillance and control efforts in the city.
The Marbella Plan involves an increased presence of police officers in the streets, focusing on random vehicle and person checks in residential areas surrounding Marbella. Specialized units such as the Drug and Organized Crime Unit (Udyco) and the Group for Response against Organized Crime (Greco) are also involved in ongoing investigations related to the recent shootings. While political controversies continue to play out, law enforcement teams remain focused on their work to bring those responsible for the incidents to justice. Several arrests have already been made in connection to two of the shootings, demonstrating progress in the investigations. The goal is to ensure the safety and security of the city’s residents and visitors, as well as to maintain Marbella’s reputation as a popular destination.
