A woman has been brutally killed with a machete in Cordoba in what police are treating as a case of ‘gender violence’.

The victim, 64, was attacked in the entrance of her home in the Fuensanta neighbourhood by her ex-partner, who has now been arrested by the Policia Nacional.

Footage shared online shows the man being dragged away in handcuffs as locals gather in shock.

The suspect was already subject to a restraining order following previous incidents of alleged abuse, after the victim had reported him for mistreatment.

Both the victim and the attacker were registered in Spain’s VioGen system, which monitors cases of gender-based violence.

They were also due to appear in court the same day over a recent domestic violence incident.

According to investigators, the woman was struck multiple times with a machete in the building’s entrance, suffering fatal injuries.

After the attack, the man barricaded himself inside the property and sprayed pepper spray in the communal area, attempting to prevent emergency services from entering.

Firefighters from the municipal emergency service were called in to assist and secure access while police dealt with the situation.

The suspect was eventually detained following tense moments at the scene.

The murder has once again raised serious questions about the effectiveness of protection measures in cases where victims are already known to authorities and subject to restraining orders.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.