Overview

• Two Futuro Vegetal activists splashed biodegradable red paint on José Garnelo’s “Primer homenaje a Cristóbal Colón” at Madrid’s Museo Naval around 2 p.m. local time on Oct. 12.
• Museum staff restrained the women until Policía Nacional arrived, and authorities accused them of an offense against cultural heritage while processing their statements.
• The Museo Naval posted images of restoration efforts on X, saying conservators were repairing the painting and reaffirming its mission to display Spain’s maritime history.
• The protest was livestreamed and included a banner reading “12 de octubre, nada que celebrar. Justicia ecosocial,” with organizers citing opposition to “neocolonial” extractivism.
• Futuro Vegetal spokespeople urged protests, boycotts and sabotage against extractive companies as footage spread on social media, drawing commentary from figures including Argentina’s president Javier Milei.