Protests in Palma: Arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford Divides the Island

A Colossus in the Bay — and a heated dispute on land

Next Friday a ship is expected in Palma Bay that no one here will forget quickly: the USS Gerald R. Ford. The 337-meter-long naval colossus, with thousands of crew members and modern jets on board, brings not only military technology into view — it provides talking points in cafés, at bus stops, and along the Paseo Marítimo.

Protests announced, voices from politics and science

Left-regionalist parties have registered demonstrations for the days around the anchorage. Their critique is simple and clear: Palma must not become a stage for foreign-policy power plays. I was in Portixol yesterday morning; a woman with a banner was still training her speech into the microphone, an older man dryly said: 'If they bring money, the mood changes.'

Other voices call for calm: a former diplomat emphasizes that port visits of the Sixth Fleet are historically routine. At the same time, experts acknowledge that the timing is symbolically charged — the region is currently sensitive, and a ship of such size sends signals that are read.

Strategy, history, everyday life

The Balearic Islands have repeatedly been in the sights of international fleet movements. A professor of geography notes that the islands are strategically located in the western Mediterranean — that's no surprise, but rather a recurring pattern. Conversations with shopkeepers show an ambivalent picture: more guests in bars and restaurants, but also discomfort among some residents.

Facts in brief: The ship is expected to lie off Palma from October 3 to 8, accompanied by additional warships. It has nearly 90 aircraft and the latest launch technology. Whether the protesters' cause will find broad support remains open. In the coming days Palma will experience a peculiar coexistence: protests at the quay, tourists eating ice cream, and above them the silhouette of a modern aircraft carrier.

Those following the events should pay attention to the announced rallies and exercise caution at the harbor. Whether you agree or not — one thing is clear: the island is not just a vacation backdrop this time, but right in the middle of discussions about security, politics, and self-understanding.