Political Controversies in Lanzarote
“Oswaldo Betancort is the president of the Cabildo, also a parliamentarian, and he attends all the plenary sessions because he schedules them to be able to go.”
“The elderly care home dates back to the time of Pedro San Ginés; I hope Marci Acuña explains why he could not establish the elderly residence when he was in the Government.”
“What is happening in Tinajo has been hidden for far too long.”
“Pedro San Ginés, with Marci Acuña in Government as the Social Welfare Councillor, caused a disaster with the Tahiche residence that the PSOE had to come in and resolve.”
“The situation regarding the photo of Jacobo Medina is juvenile behaviour, and they have not matured enough to realise that this is not what matters.”
PSOE Criticises Response to Toxic Seeds Incident
Ariagona González, the spokesperson for the Socialist Party (PSOE) on the Cabildo de Lanzarote, highlighted on Tuesday during the programme “A Buena Hora” on Crónicas Radio the responsibility of the Head of the Presidency Cabinet, Gladys Acuña, in the erroneous distribution of highly toxic seeds by the Cabildo. She also criticised President Oswaldo Betancort for the proposed regulation change for plenary sessions, which prevents María Dolores Corujo from attending due to clashes with sessions of the Congress of Deputies. Furthermore, she responded to criticisms from Social Welfare Councillor Marci Acuña concerning the Tahiche residence, asserting that it was during his time in the Government of Pedro San Ginés that work began on the project, leaving María Dolores Corujo with what she called “a disaster.”
Concerns Over Abuse Towards Councillor
– In Tinajo, you are being criticised for your attacks on the mayor, yet your press release did not adequately highlight the severity of the incident involving Begoña Hernández. Why is that?
– Begoña has been suffering for far too long. The disrespect from the Tinajo mayor is continuous. The other day, when she went to read a document she has access to as a councillor and representative of the citizens, she was verbally assaulted and treated poorly.
– Not only verbally; she reported on this medium that the man who entered the office threw the computer screen at her head. This was not just verbal abuse; it was a serious physical assault. Nothing has been said about this from CC or the mayor.
– If that is the case, I will call my colleague immediately because this cannot be ignored. It’s outrageous.
– According to her, it hit her arm, and she has reported it to the authorities.
– What is happening in that municipality has been hidden for far too long. It cannot be that a public representative goes to exercise her right to read a document and experiences this. Where are we heading?
– It was not the mayor, but a worker in this instance.
– Yes, it was a worker from the Tinajo council, but I want to emphasise that this is unacceptable. The council and its mayor have new issues every day. First, they send the perpetrators of gender-based violence to stay in a hotel, and now my colleague goes to review information, and they throw a computer screen at her head. Where is the mayor reprimanding the worker? Why is there no disciplinary action against that person?
Controversy Over Toxic Seed Distribution
– Late on Monday, you issued a press release. The Cabildo reacted quickly, but fundamentally, they acknowledged that a highly toxic product was distributed that was mistaken for bean seeds. What actually happened at the farm?
– I do not know exactly what happened inside the farm. What I do know is that they distributed seeds that may look like beans at first glance, but in reality, they are highly toxic and can cause poisoning. If the farm distributed those seeds, they are obliged to do everything possible to withdraw them from the market to protect the public. The curious thing is that, could the PSOE not also have reported this? Where has the Agriculture Councillor, who happens to be the president, been to alert the public and notify them? The PSOE had to step in. They admit we are right because it is the truth, but where have they been—was Oswaldo Betancort in Texas again or at another party, not paying attention to the problems of Lanzarote and these monumental errors? With all due respect, we are talking about human health.
– In your press release, you called for the dismissal of the advisor, presumably referring to Gladys Acuña. Is that because she handles agricultural matters, or for another reason?
– Because if Gladys Acuña is the head of the Cabinet and also managing the department for Oswaldo Betancort, she did not do what was necessary, which is to be aware of what is happening at the farm. She should have urgently alerted the public, retrieved those seeds, and gathered them all. Where is she? Is she at another party or feast? All they seem to do is eat and party.
Regulation Change at Cabildo
– You have also voiced concerns over the recent change in regulations for Cabildo plenary sessions. You assert this is final to ensure your colleague María Dolores Corujo cannot participate. What specific actions do you believe are wrong?
– They are proposing a regulation modification that states plenary sessions can be held from Tuesday to Friday. The plenary sessions take place once a month based on an agreement established at the start of the term, which has set that they occur on the last Friday of each month. This agreement has been maintained for years, not just since María Dolores Corujo’s time but even earlier. Since Oswaldo Betancort took office, only 4 out of approximately 23 plenaries have been held on the last Friday of the month. By doing this, he effectively ensures my colleague, who is in the Congress of Deputies, cannot attend the plenary sessions. This regulation modification excessively constrains her attendance as it alters the schedule to avoid clashes intentionally.
– While not illegal, it could have been implemented right at the start of his term if he had the will. It is suspicious that it is only done now, isn’t it?
– Yes, furthermore, there is jurisprudence indicating that when a person holding dual roles is impeded—such as my colleague, who is also a parliamentarian—Oswaldo Betancort, being the president of the Cabildo and a parliamentarian, schedules the plenaries to ensure she cannot attend. He arranges Cabildo plenaries based on the Parliament schedule and ensures not to overlap with Congress to sideline María Dolores Corujo. Jurisprudence vindicates those individuals claiming their fundamental rights are being violated due to actions like those of Oswaldo Betancort. My colleague has already reported this situation, and we will continue until the end. It cannot be that a person legitimately elected by the citizens of Lanzarote, in this case opposed by Oswaldo Betancort, is blocking her ability to represent the voters.
Debate Over the Elderly Residence
– The issue of the elderly residence is also generating controversy. Marci Acuña claims it is unbelievable that you could not progress this matter when you had ample time, alleging it is yet another form of PSOE negligence. Do you believe you genuinely lacked the time, or could you have resolved it? What happened?
– The reality is that the elderly residence dates back to the time of Pedro San Ginés. I hope Marci Acuña explains to Pedro San Ginés, in his new role as secretary general, why he could not progress the elderly residence when he was in government. The responsibility does not lie solely with the PSOE; it originated with CC. They left the PSOE with significant issues, including a contract with a Temporary Union of Companies (UTE) that went bankrupt, which resulted in a £2 million advance that was never recovered. That is what the PSOE inherited when stepping in with the Tahiche residence, along with the requirement to modify planning. The PSOE has had to sort all these problems because Pedro San Ginés, with Marci Acuña as the Social Welfare Councillor, caused havoc that the PSOE now faces. Now, after two years, they are finally starting the elderly residence; it surely wasn’t that easy. Marci Acuña should indeed be well-informed about this, given he served as councillor under Pedro San Ginés during this period.
– Jacobo Medina stated there were orders to remove him from photographs of the Tahiche residence project. Do you think this reflects internal strife that will end badly, or is it of no concern to you?
– This is an extension of what happens in Arrecife. Everyone knows that in the council, there are disputes over photos, with some featuring prominently over others, leading to continual disagreements among Yonathan de León and Echedey Eugenio. An extension of these petty issues is evident in the Cabildo, particularly regarding Jacobo Medina and Oswaldo Betancort or with CC councillors. We see this occasionally in the Cabildo, while it is an undeniable reality in Arrecife. This reflects their understanding of governance and representation of citizens. Such matters belong in a playground, and they have not matured sufficiently to recognise that this is not what is important.
