Violent protests erupt in Bilbao following cancellation of Vito Quiles event

Violent clashes broke out in Bilbao, Spain, on October 26 and 27, 2026, following the cancellation of a scheduled event featuring right-wing political commentator Vito Quiles. While the event at the University of Deusto was canceled, thousands of demonstrators, including anti-fascist and student groups, had gathered to protest his presence, leading to widespread disorder that spilled into areas like the Jose Antonio Aguirre avenue and the Iberdrola tower.

Masked individuals engaged in arson, burning vehicles—including a municipal police motorcycle—and trash bins, while also damaging local shops and attacking police officers with stones. The Basque regional police, the Ertzaintza, confirmed 20 arrests, including several minors. The situation remains tense as the Erne police union has publicly criticized the operational command, alleging that preventive security forces were withdrawn prematurely, which they claim contributed to the escalation of the violence.

While Politis reported the initial incident on October 26, subsequent updates from October 27 confirm the scale of property damage and the involvement of the police union in questioning the management of the security operation. Authorities are continuing to monitor the aftermath of the riots as investigations into the arrested individuals proceed.