Understanding the Political Climate in the Canary Islands
ATI was born and has been exerting influence in the municipalities of Tenerife, in the Cabildo, and shortly thereafter, under the banner of “Canarian nationalism,” in the Government of the Canary Islands. This is driven by business interests that are clearly identifiable behind the political decisions they have made regarding urban planning, land management, large commercial infrastructures, and investments in a variety of projects. It has taken me nearly 20 years to grasp this, but I believe I finally understand, thanks to Ayuso. Thank you.
The Proposal for a Free Associated State
It was quite some time ago when a novice mayor of La Laguna, already serving and no longer a secondary school student, expressed his willingness for the Canary Islands to become a “Free Associated State.” In other words, like Puerto Rico in relation to the United States.
At the time, I wasn’t entirely sure what he was proposing, and I sensed he was uncertain as well. But he did know. I’ve just realised!
The citizens of Puerto Rico hold US citizenship, and their country, the beautiful Borinquen, enjoys self-governance. However, Puerto Ricans cannot vote in US elections. Nonetheless, the US Congress has the authority to enact laws that affect the Puerto Rican population, even though they have not participated in the election of its members and do not have two senators like each state in the Union.
Is Puerto Rico somewhat akin to a colony of the Yanquis, as referred to by the bards who sing its history, from the time of the Spanish Monarchy’s transfer of authority to the United States back in 1898? These were the expansive days of burgeoning American imperialism.
Ayuso, as I mentioned before, has helped me understand what the then inept President of the Government of the Canary Islands wanted to convey when he, feeling euphoric, added, “And if Free Associated State means independence for the Archipelago, what’s the problem?”
Controversies and Discriminatory Policies
Ayuso has refused to comply with the state decree regarding the fair distribution of unaccompanied migrant minors and has challenged it by filing a judicial appeal. This means that unaccompanied minors arriving in the Canary Islands via the perilous Atlantic route will remain here, cared for by our public institutions and humanitarian private entities. It is as if the islands are treated as a foreign territory, akin to Albania in relation to the European Union and Meloni.
Additionally, Ayuso has decreed that Canarian students in Madrid will not receive transport vouchers, discriminating against them and going further than the very national priority established by Vox, the same Abascal who seeks to undermine Open ARMS. The PP shamefully complies with this in an increasing number of autonomous communities where they are partners with neo-fascists. Meanwhile, the Government of the Canary Islands, a government of the disadvantaged but one that holds constitutional and statutory legitimacy, remains silent. Shhh!
In line with the waves of ignorance and racism she displayed during her tour of Mexico, Ayuso absolutely understands the position that belongs to the Canary Islands: it will be that of a colony or “Free Associated State” with subordinated institutions in many areas and citizens devoid of political rights. Always, in any case, a land, inhabitants, and institutions that are not on par with those of the Metropolis.
Political Reflections
I have always believed, and it’s no surprise to say it now, that ATI was established and has been acting as a facilitator in the municipalities of Tenerife, in the Cabildo, and soon after, dressed in “Canarian nationalism” in the Government of the Canary Islands. They represent identifiable business interests behind the political decisions they have made concerning urban planning, land management, major commercial infrastructures, and investments, and those they have neglected in health and hospital matters, educational funding, support for dependency, among many others. Business interests, which are perfectly respectable, but insatiable and excessively hegemonic, through their facilitators, over public policies on the islands—policies that we all fund and that should answer the needs and expectations of the majority.
Perhaps my lack of understanding has led me to gradually realise that they are also enablers of the most abysmal Spanish conservatism represented by the worst of the PP (under Aznar and Ayuso, despite Feijóo’s presence) and Vox, increasingly indistinguishable: centralist, unsympathetic, cynically so, and growing ever more imbued with xenophobia, racism, and supremacism. Oh! And dismissive and potentially colonialist towards the Canary Islands and its people.
And Clavijo remains silent. How times change, Venancio, don’t you think? Or not?
Can you imagine their outbursts if a fraction of what the PP is doing to the Canary Islands were to come from governments or institutions led by progressive parties or the PSOE?
