The Local Police and the City Council of Málaga are investigating the identity of the alleged author of the graffiti on the statue of Marqués de Larios, which occurred in the early hours of Monday following the celebration of the World Cup.
Security cameras and videos recorded by witnesses during the World Cup celebrations have provided the main lead to identify the person responsible for the graffiti on the statue of Marqués de Larios, in the heart of Málaga. The images show a young man climbing on the sculpture with a can of red paint in hand, right in the area where the smear appeared on the monument's face.
The City Council of Málaga confirmed that the investigation is focusing on this graphic material, which has been handed over to the Local Police for analysis. The agents are trying to determine whether the young man appearing in the recordings is the actual author of the graffiti or if he acted as part of a group. So far, no arrests have been made and no suspects have been publicly identified, according to municipal sources.
A potential greater attack
Investigators are considering the hypothesis that the authors intended to completely cover the bronze statue, but the quick intervention of the Local Police prevented further damage. The attack was limited to the head of the figure, which was found smeared with red paint in one of the busiest areas of the Málaga capital, at the junction of Alameda Principal and Calle Larios.
The sculpture, created by the renowned sculptor Mariano Benlliure, is one of the most emblematic elements of Málaga's historic and commercial centre. Its location, next to Plaza de la Marina, makes it a mandatory passing point for thousands of pedestrians and vehicles every day, which explains the rapid spread of images of the damaged monument through social media and local media.
Express cleaning to restore the image
The workers of the City Council of Málaga acted from the early hours of Monday to remove the paint. The cleaning work lasted for several hours until the statue regained its original appearance. The swift municipal response was key to ensuring that the visual impact of the vandalistic act lasted only a morning, restoring normalcy to this central location.
The City Council has reminded that the statue of Marqués de Larios, made of bronze on a marble pedestal, is a protected asset due to its artistic and historical value. Any damage to it can incur financial penalties and, in some cases, criminal liability for attacks against heritage. The investigation remains open, and it is expected that the analysis of the images will help advance the identification of the responsible party in the coming days.
For the residents of Málaga, this episode has caused a stir during a week of celebrations. The statue of Marqués de Larios, which names the city's most famous shopping street, is a beloved symbol, and its alteration has generated discontent among citizens, who trust that the Local Police will soon find the author of the acts.
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