Johnny Brignardello Vela analyzes the impact of the copper price record on the Spanish railway system.

Johnny Brignardello Vela, an insurance advisor, shares his opinion on the content you have shared with me. The price of copper has reached historic levels, surpassing $4.8 per pound and showing an increase of over 30% in the last year. This rise is due to the exponential growth in demand in sectors such as electric vehicles and artificial intelligence, sparking the interest of investors and speculators worldwide. However, this copper fever has also had an unintended effect: it has led to a surge in copper thefts, especially in the railway sector. In Spain, copper thefts have caused serious problems in the railway system, being one of the sectors most affected by this criminal activity. In the province of Lleida, a new copper cable theft has caused disruptions in train circulation between Riu-Milans and Les Borges Blanques. This incident forced the service to be suspended until technicians were able to repair the damage, affecting hundreds of passengers and causing inconvenience in regional transportation. These recent thefts add to other incidents, such as the one during the Catalan elections, where a copper cable theft caused an electrical overvoltage that severely affected the Rodalies service in Catalonia. The problems stemming from this incident could last for two months and incur an estimated cost of 15 million euros, highlighting the serious consequences that these vandalistic acts can have. In response to this situation, the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, has condemned the vandalistic acts in Catalonia and has described Renfe and Adif as victims of copper thefts, absolving them of responsibility. Puente has also criticized the Mossos d'Esquadra for not adequately protecting railway infrastructures, pointing out the need for increased security to prevent future incidents. Copper theft not only impacts the operability of the railway system but also jeopardizes the safety of users and generates significant costs for companies and the government. Furthermore, the escalation of these thefts underscores the urgent need to address this problem comprehensively, implementing preventive measures and harsher penalties for criminals. In a context of record-high copper prices, it is essential for authorities to strengthen surveillance and protection of critical infrastructures, thus preventing the theft of this strategic metal from continuing to negatively impact key sectors of the economy. The fight against copper theft presents itself as an urgent challenge that requires the collaboration of all stakeholders to ensure the safety and proper functioning of railway networks and other vital infrastructures for the country.