Almost a year ago, in November 2024, the name Santiago Carlos Martín made headlines throughout the Canary Islands. This was not the first time he had been in the news; in 2019, he had already made headlines when he was dismissed as the head of Civil Protection in Santa Cruz de Tenerife by the city’s first socialist mayor in this democratic era, Patricia Hernández (PSOE), following allegations of sexual harassment, though CC defended him vigorously.
Ten months ago, the local government, once again composed of nationalists with the PP as an ally, had no choice but to dismiss him following his provisional imprisonment under the accusation of facilitating “clandestine migration” and committing “continuing offenses of assault and sexual harassment.” Well, that very Santiago Carlos Martín, who is no longer in provisional prison, has decided to attend official events in a prominent role, has been allowed to speak, is photographed with his Civil Protection colleagues, and poses with councillors such as Gladis de León (CC), acting as if nothing had happened in such a context.
Of course, as emphasised by sources within the Santa Cruz government, he does so in his capacity as a citizen, dressed casually (in a jacket and tie) and without any responsibilities in Civil Protection as he has not been reinstated in his position. However, the images that have circulated on social media have raised eyebrows among many. This occurred days ago, when he chose to attend the procession of the Virgen de Regla in the Tenerife capital, where he not only posed with the members of this volunteer security body present (about fifteen), but can also be seen in prominent and official locations during the procession of the image, as evidenced by one of the photos accompanying this text.
When consulted by Canarias Ahora regarding these circumstances, local government sources downplayed what happened, acknowledging the photos and emphasising that he did not act in those festivities as the head of Civil Protection, but merely as another citizen. However, that is not the impression of those who have seen the images or of some attendees at such a solemn event with many devotees of the Virgin.
While not undermining the presumption of innocence in any measure, it at least appears rather unseemly to many that, less than a year after entering provisional prison under such accusations, he is seen at an official event of this calibre as if nothing has happened, holding a prominent role and being photographed with Civil Protection and a significant councillor from the mayor’s party, José Manuel Bermúdez.
It is certainly unseemly, at least until any doubts are cleared up through the ongoing judicial process linked to the reasons for his dismissal last year and his subsequent status as an individual under investigation. It should also be noted that, back in 2019, before he was dismissed by the PSOE and Cs government, with Unidas Podemos backing them, some volunteers already pointed him out as the author of alleged gestures, touching, or comments of a sexual nature, although no criminal proceedings were initiated at that time.
The same councillor who signed his dismissal in November 2024
In November 2024, Martín was dismissed as head of Civil Protection, a position he had been reinstated to by CC after the censure of Patricia Hernández, under the argument of his excellent service to the community. He had been expelled due to the ongoing investigation and, above all, due to his entry into provisional custody without bail. This last factor left the local government with no argument or margin in the face of public opinion, as they had only temporarily removed him from his duties until his legal situation was clarified.
The councillor who signed his dismissal was precisely the same one he recently posed with at the Ermita de Regla, Gladis de León (CC), on Tuesday, August 19, 2024, shortly after the city’s court decided the previous Friday to place him in provisional custody as the alleged author of crimes related to human trafficking for the purpose of servitude. He was replaced by José Ramón de León González, who had been with Civil Protection for 15 years at that point.
Interestingly, the government of nationalists and conservatives justified their decision not only based on his imprisonment but also on “various detected breaches, both of local and autonomous regulations governing the functioning of these Civil Protection groups.” They also considered the “damage” caused to the image of the capital’s volunteer group, whose members do not deserve this, and to whom the councillor has already expressed her full support to continue the vital work they perform each day. In fact, Gladis de León insisted then on “disassociating” Santiago Carlos Martín from the “ordinary and essential activity” that volunteers continue to provide to the citizens of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Well, it seems that this damage is no longer apparent, and that his recent role at the Ermita de Regla can be “linked” back to those volunteers, as he posed with them and a smiling councillor, apart from taking a leading role during the procession in places that were not exactly reserved for any parishioner or member of the public.
