“Arrecife must have this circus that has come to stay, just like Navilán. The budget is there to be spent, not left in the drawer.”
“The concert by Alejandro Fernández cost 750,000 euros. Approximately 75,000 people attended. That amounts to 10 euros per person.”
“The police are monitoring many establishments that are not respecting the hours, and that’s why I say we will soon have news on this matter.”
The Mayor of Arrecife, Yonathan de León, stated on Monday during the “A Buena Hora” programme on Crónicas Radio that it is not true that the circus which took place over the weekend at the Ginory site lacked authorisation. He asserted that it is a fair that has come to stay, similar to the Navilán event. Despite the fact that the Councillor for Procurement, Echedey Eugenio, mentioned earlier in the week on the same radio show that he had no record of any files permitting the circus activity, which has also drawn harsh criticism from the Socialist Party, de León insisted that sometimes, as was the case with Alejandro Fernández’s performance during San Ginés, the presentation of documentation is simply delayed. Regarding this concert, the cost has also been highlighted by the opposition. He explained that if the costs are calculated, it amounted to only 10 euros per resident, providing incredible promotion for the capital. He affirmed that the coalition continues to function well within the Town Hall and is confident it will last until the elections in 2027.
– Do you think there was a reason for the uproar surrounding the Mayor of Tinajo?
– I have only seen some headlines in certain media. I understand it may have been a mistake, as he claims, but it is he who must provide the explanations.
– Some residents have contacted us to complain that yet again, they could not sleep due to noise from La Inés and Triana streets, as there are bars frequented by South Americans who tend to go out on Sunday nights. What can you tell them?
– I do not see why these bars are trying to behave like nightclubs, as many only have licences until two in the morning, and we are currently monitoring this. We will endeavour to activate special measures to put an end to these situations, as residents have a right to rest. It is true that restaurateurs also have the right to economic activity, but this must always be done with respect for all residents, who are suffering, especially in La Inés and Triana streets. We are taking a hard line with these businesses that do not respect the rules and hours, and I hope we will have good news on this issue in the coming days.
– Many people may not remember, but your former colleague José Manuel Soria did board up premises when he was Mayor of Las Palmas.
– We will not reach that extreme. We have done so with many homes that were being used as smoking venues. With commercial establishments, we must follow a procedure. The police are monitoring many establishments that are not respecting hours, which is why I say we will soon have updates on this matter.
– The local police continue to fight drug use, as it appears that, unfortunately, it is still prevalent among younger people.
– Indeed, particularly in certain public places such as plazas and parks, which we are trying to avoid. We have deployed various operations throughout the capital to prevent drug sales. Arrecife is the only municipality on the island where crime has been significantly reduced, but we must continue to monitor these situations that cannot occur in areas where there are children and elderly people. We will maintain our strict approach.
– Are there many such locations?
– No, they are not numerous and are localised. After shutting down many smoking spots, the sale of drugs has decreased dramatically, but there are still some critical or conflict-prone areas. Thanks to residents who alert us and to our prevention efforts with undercover vehicles and plain-clothes officers, we are achieving these results.
– You continue to provide equipment to the police and plan to increase staff. What is the current status?
– I am also responsible for the local police, and one of my key goals is to improve the safety, material and human resources of the police force. We have put out tenders for new vehicles, which will be added to our existing fleet. We are working on other contracts that we will advance to enhance police resources because a well-equipped local police force will enhance the safety of all.
– In summarising the summer, people say that the San Ginés festivities were great, but the PSOE claims, as always, that expenditures were excessive. The Mayor of San Bartolomé, Isidro Pérez, said on this programme that the amount spent on Alejandro Fernández’s concert could have sustained the family respite centre for two years.
– I would tell him that the 75 million euros Pedro Sánchez spent on his travels in 2022 would cover Arrecife’s budget for all its residents. I would like the Mayor of San Bartolomé to explain how much Pedro Sánchez and his family’s holidays in La Mareta cost all Spaniards. I haven’t heard him mention that. It seems the PSOE is always concerned about what happens in Arrecife but does not bother to see what they have and continually stirs the pot. The concert by Alejandro Fernández, for instance, cost 750,000 euros. Nearly 75,000 people attended, costing 10 euros each. If those people had had to go outside Lanzarote to see this concert, it would have cost them an average of 250 or 300 euros. We succeeded in bringing people to Lanzarote, ensuring that those 300 euros stayed in the capital, thus generating economic activity, positioning Arrecife as the hub for sports, tourism, and leisure events. Therefore, we have had exquisite San Ginés festivities, and I must commend the events team, Echedey Eugenio, and his entire crew. These festivities were safe and well attended.
– Did many people travel from abroad to attend Alejandro Fernández’s concert?
– A great many. People who recognised me from social media mentioned they were coming from Fuerteventura or Gran Canaria. One even said he was coming from California. This was one of his last concerts in Spain, attracting a massive audience not only for Alejandro Fernández’s concert but also for those on holiday who were thrilled with the activities that took place around San Ginés along the coastline. We are committed to revitalising the coastline and setting up stages and stalls in various locations.
– The PSOE also criticized the circus set up at the Ginory site, initially claiming that there was no documentation, contract, planning, or reports, and therefore it could not be held. They alleged that the Ginory site was occupied without authorisation. Was it really necessary to hold this event now? Was it done hastily without proper planning?
– The PSOE is the one involved in a circus and, as usual, they are producing untrue stories every day. It is simply not true that there was no authorisation for the circus. It had permission from the coastal authorities, and anyone can check the decree book to see that the site was correctly designated and had the necessary authorisation to hold this event, which attracted over 20,000 people. I remember the happy faces, not just of the children but also of the parents and grandparents who took part and expressed their gratitude, as it was the first time such a free event for children had been organised. The joy on those children’s faces is priceless, and they deserved this activity before the start of school. We had the fairground attractions from the San Ginés festivities, but it is true that not everyone can afford to enjoy them. Arrecife should host this fair that has come to stay, just like Navilán. The budget is meant to be spent, not left gathering dust. All residents should benefit from it. Each department has its budget for spending, and this should not go to reserves.
– Echedey Eugenio mentioned last Monday that there was no contract. Was it done without one?
– There are situations in administrations that many people are unaware of, leading to bureaucratic delays in document processing. This was the issue with the Alejandro Fernández concert, as brands and exclusivities often take time to sort out.
– Why?
– Often due to bureaucratic reasons and the increasing documentation required for contracts.
– Because it is submitted late?
– It’s not that it is submitted late. We had planned this fair for a long time; we submitted documentation, but more was requested, and sometimes things do not go as one wishes, causing bureaucratic hold-ups. This fair has gained impressive recognition nationally and internationally, featuring one of the world’s top harlequins, who has over eight million followers on social media, making it important for Arrecife.
– Is it true that it cost 400,000 euros, as the PSOE claims?
– It cost 350,000 euros, and I am sure it was cheaper than Pedro Sánchez’s family’s stay in La Mareta.
– Did you see Pedro Sánchez when he came on holiday?
– No, and I didn’t particularly care to. I didn’t see him show concern for those in the child care centres; I only saw him strolling about on social media. I noticed the photos with his entourage, his mother, uncle, and the whole family, enjoying at the expense of all Spaniards, in a place meant for the President but not for the entire family at the expense of the citizens.
– This Friday, Manuel Domínguez mentioned on this programme that Ángel Víctor Torres is intent on breaking the coalition between the PP and CC across all institutions in the Canaries.
– That is indeed his aim, as was the case with Loli Corujo or Alfredo Mendoza; the PSOE’s usual goal is to create instability in all administrations where they are not in power, and even when they govern, they always try to generate instability. Back in 2023, they said we wouldn’t make it to Christmas, then that we wouldn’t last until San Juan…
– The reality is that things did not begin very well.
– As is often the case. In relationships, things never go perfectly at the start; you adjust over time, and in the end, we have managed to create a solid partnership. We maintain an excellent relationship, despite what the PSOE claims; we are working effectively, each in our areas, avoiding controversies. When issues arise, we sit down, discuss, and resolve them. What Arrecife needs is stability, and that will continue until the elections in 2027.
– OK Diario reported on Monday that the UCO is investigating Ángel Víctor Torres for alleged commission payments when he was president of the Canaries. Are you surprised by such news?
– Such news is not uncommon within the Socialist Party, and they have been in the national spotlight in recent years due to similar situations involving Pedro Sánchez’s wife, his brother, Ángel Víctor Torres, etc. In the end, the PSOE turns on the fan, splattering everyone else, but the rain falls on them.
– Now, let’s go to listeners’ questions. One comment expresses that the issue of the General Plan seems to have faded, and they ask if it will remain unapproved by the end of your term.
– Absolutely not. After 20 years, the Supplementary Plan has been initially approved, which has a period for objections and sectoral reports that need to be issued. We have now moved to the stage of responding to those objections and issuing the relevant sectoral reports from each administration. It’s not an easy process, but it is well advanced, and I hope that before December, the Supplementary Plan is approved, benefiting more than 450 families who have lived in uncertainty over whether their homes could be demolished, which we will now avoid. It will allow the construction of over 5,000 homes, of which 1,500 are social housing; it will ensure Arrecife has half a million square metres of industrial zones to generate economy and jobs; and nearly 300,000 square metres of green spaces, which will enable the construction of underground parking areas, in response to the high demand for parking in the capital. The procedure is proceeding as established and has gone quite quickly. Many sectoral reports have been issued from other administrations, and by December, I hope Arrecife will finally have its Supplementary Plan, which will not solve all problems but will provide legal capacity to owners often left in doubt.
– What will happen with Islote del Francés?
– We are waiting on a judicial procedure regarding the maritime boundary. We have won some sentences, but until the Court determines the maritime boundary, we cannot negotiate anything, as we do not know which parcel will remain.
– Is your aim to recover the parcel for public use?
– It is stated in the judgement that it must be a parcel for public use, and we will have to compensate owners with land elsewhere, taking into account any areas that remain urbanisable or negotiating other agreements to enhance this site, which is one of Arrecife’s best.
