Cala d’Hort, one of the most iconic places of Sant Josep for its privileged views of the islet of Es Vedrà, has been the scene of an act of vandalism that has highlighted a latent conflict between residents and visitors. This Monday, several vehicles parked in the area were spray-painted, which generated indignation among both the owners and the local community.
Vandalized vehicles and cross accusations
As disseminated through the social networks of Exponiendo Ibiza, a user who visited the area recounted how on returning from his walk he found his car and three others vandalized with paint. “We parked on the road at the crossroads above Cala d’Hort to go see Es Vedrà and, when we returned, the cars were damaged. We think it was an annoyed neighbor because we parked there, but it’s a public place and that shouldn’t happen,” said the affected person, who also shared a video showing the state of the vehicles.
The voice of the neighbors: frustration and limits
The incident, far from being an isolated event, appears to be linked to the growing tension in the area. A resident of Cala d’Hort, who preferred to remain anonymous, responded to the viral video posted by Exponiendo Ibiza by offering a neighborhood perspective. In his message, he described the situation as a “hell” caused by mass tourism.
“In summer, and now also in winter, the road collapses with cars at rush hour, especially in the evening. I often get trapped in my own house because they park in front of my barrier, even when it is open. I have also seen people entering my property to take pictures in the pool with the sunset in the background,” he explained. The resident added that he has called the local authorities on numerous occasions, but claims that they have not taken effective action. Although he condemned the vandalism, he expressed some empathy for those who resort to these actions out of frustration. “It is the result of years of neglect by the institutions,” he lamented.
Lack of solutions and unresolved conflict
The case of Cala d’Hort illustrates a broader problem that affects several parts of the island: the difficulty of balancing tourism, Ibiza’s economic engine, with the quality of life of its residents. Lack of access control, indiscriminate parking and encroachment on private property are recurrent problems in areas of high tourist influx. For their part, the local authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the incident or possible measures to mitigate the tension in the area.
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