Violent gangs from Spain clash in Palma de Mallorca as police fight to maintain control of the streets

Street gang violence has erupted this week as hordes of young men armed with machetes and baseball bats have clashed in the alleyways of Palma.

The city’s police force has been on high alert since Tuesday night after violence broke out between two gangs.

More than 20 local police officers were deployed in the areas of Plaza Fleming, Jacint Verdeguer and Parc de Ses Estacions to try to avoid clashes.

The first police units on the scene were surrounded by gang members and had to call for backup in scenes reminiscent of a movie.

The officers then had to get their hands dirty, wielding batons and using force to stop the fighters.

These two gangs, identified by the police as ‘BPL’ and ‘El Caserío 24/7’ (the former occupants of the old bank branch on Avenida de San Fernando), would be competing for control of various areas of the city.

The youths involved, most of whom are of Dominican, Colombian, Ecuadorian or Brazilian nationality, are heavily armed and each group is said to have a minimum of 25-30 members.

According to police sources who spoke to Ultima Hora, there have been multiple threats and attacks in different squares and parks in the city.

The youths were armed with close combat weapons, including knives and baseball bats, which they allegedly hid in public areas such as trash cans and benches.

The ‘BPL’ group would be waiting for their rivals because they had received threats that the ‘El Caserío 24/7’ gang planned to come to Plaza Fleming to confront them.

Videos of the gang members with weapons, including firearms, were reportedly posted on social media.

Some of the people involved are now hiding in the occupied Joan Crespí branch, a former bank office.

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