The Socialist Group in the Cabildo of Lanzarote has raised concerns that the island’s president, Oswaldo Betancort, has added new expenses to the controversial trip to Texas. These include hiring a personal photographer for €10,000 and the travel of five senior political officials: three councillors and two island directors.

“Oswaldo Betancort has become Lanzarote’s official tourist, funded by public money. He travels with his photographer and entourage while we cancel services, face water shortages, and the Cabildo is technically bankrupt,” denounced Socialist councillor Benjamín Perdomo.

Excessive Costs Linked to Institutional Trip

The PSOE of Lanzarote highlights that this institutional trip has cost Lanzarote residents €254,370, awarded to a private company through a contract negotiated without public tender or real oversight.

Now an additional €10,000 has been allocated for a personal photographer, an entirely unnecessary expense in the current economic crisis and climate of cutbacks. Is the travel of three councillors and two island directors justifiable? This is not economic promotion; it is personal promotion and pleasure trips funded by taxpayers,” Perdomo added.

Questionable Involvement of Education Councillor

Furthermore, Perdomo pointed out the particularly inexplicable presence of the island’s Education councillor on this trip, as she has no responsibilities in foreign trade or tourism or gastronomic promotion. “What does her participation contribute to an event that, according to the Cabildo itself, is focused on promoting local products? No official explanation has justified her inclusion in the delegation, and her participation only highlights the lack of rigour with which this trip was organised,” he emphasised.

Additionally, the Socialist Group stresses that Lanzarote has been exporting wine, salt, aloe vera, and quality organic and gastronomic products to international markets for years, thanks to the programmes and institutional agreements promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Proexca (Government of Canary Islands).

“There was no need to stage a million-euro spectacle. The serious and rigorous work already being done has allowed us to open markets, consolidate commercial relationships, and support the primary and business sectors without needing to orchestrate a media show in Texas,” Perdomo explained.

The PSOE reiterates that while the island suffers from a water emergency, a housing crisis, and crucial projects for the sector are being suspended, the president of the Cabildo continues to escalate political spending, accumulating advisers and trips that provide no real return for the citizens.