The controversy originated from a post on the social network X by Minister Óscar Puente, where he contrasted the spectacle held at the Sagrada Familia with the events organized in the capital. Puente praised Barcelona's organizational capacity, recalling the 1992 Olympic Games, and used the phrase «Relaxing Cup of café con leche» to question the current management of Madrid's municipal government. In his message, the minister directly alluded to the mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, and the regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, calling them «heirs» of former mayor Ana Botella.

Madrid's deputy mayor, Inma Sanz, responded to these statements at a press conference following the Governing Board meeting. Sanz downplayed the minister's remarks, suggesting that Óscar Puente «speaks for himself» and is seeking «a minute of glory». The municipal spokesperson described the minister's attitude as «permanent harassment».

Sanz focused her criticism on the Ministry of Transport's management, stating: «What I find serious is that he is not dedicating himself to what he should be: ensuring trains run, that there are no problems, and that they don't fail on the same day the Pope arrives in Barcelona». With this, she contrasted the debate over public events with the functioning of the national railway network.