Asamblea Majorera – Coalición Canaria Fuerteventura has condemned the improper use of insular territory for military maneuvers following the landing of two Spanish army helicopters in a highly sensitive area for local wildlife near El Cotillo, in the municipality of La Oliva. AM-CC Fuerteventura condemns the improper use of insular territory for military maneuvers
According to the information gathered, the operation affected at least one area included in the Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) on the island. This situation has raised concerns among the local residents, not only due to the noise pollution caused by the aircraft but also due to the potential impact on native wildlife.
“The noise generated by these aircraft has a significant environmental impact, contributes to soil degradation during landing maneuvers, and can disrupt the ecosystem balance of the area,” stated the island executive. They also emphasised that “it causes disturbances to the local residents and compromises their safety by disregarding regulations concerning flight altitude, operational hours, and other safety measures.”
Furthermore, the political party has expressed increasing concern over the potential normalisation of such actions and the growing military presence on the island, particularly following the deployment of the Brigade Canarias XVI (BRICAN XVI) last May, as part of the so-called Permanent Operations developed by the Armed Forces within their national defence planning.
The party stated, “These incursions into areas not designated for military maneuvers should not set a precedent or become a regular practice in Fuerteventura.”
Additionally, they reminded that the Ministry of Defence has appropriated more than 4,000 hectares of land along the Barlovento coast since the establishment of the Pájara Military Maneuvering and Firing Range in 1973. Therefore, they consider the presence of these helicopters outside designated military zones to be unjustified. “It is unclear why they were conducting maneuvers in this location when they have ample spaces specifically designated for such activities,” they pointed out.
The organisation has also criticised the lack of information from the Armed Forces, as these operations were not communicated in advance to either the local institutions or the affected citizens. “This absence of transparency shows a lack of respect towards the local population,” they added.
“Once again, they are using Fuerteventura as their playground,” lamented AM-CC. The party recalls that it has historically defended the demilitarisation of the island and considers these actions to be “a direct attack on the territory, its environmental values, and the special fragility of an environment that deserves to be protected and respected.”
The organisation highlighted that this action ignores the institutional agreements reached in recent years, not only by the island administrations but also by the Government of the Canary Islands and the Senate. “The Ministry of Defence has already taken approximately 47 square kilometres from the local population, so it is difficult to understand why they are now using the rest of the island to carry out their maneuvers,” concluded Asamblea Majorera – Coalición Canaria Fuerteventura.
AM-CC Fuerteventura condemns the improper use of insular territory for military maneuvers
