The President of the Popular Party in Lanzarote, Astrid Pérez, has denounced the central government’s lack of commitment to security in the islands. She stated that the promises regarding the reinforcement of Guardia Civil and National Police forces in the Canaries “have not materialised”, resulting in an overloaded situation for both agencies on the island.
Pérez supported the concerns expressed by the Spanish Association of Civil Guards (AEGC), which questions the recent announcement by the Minister of Territorial Policy and former President of the Government of the Canaries, Ángel Víctor Torres. According to the association, the alleged reinforcements refer to newly qualified officers who joined two months ago, without any actual increase in personnel numbers.
The Socialist Minister estimated that 169 new personnel would be allocated to the Canaries, including 20 for Lanzarote. However, the insular PP believes this number does not meet the needs of a territory with over 160,000 residents, which receives around three million tourists each year, and must address issues arising from the migration crisis and the arrival of small boats.
Astrid Pérez accused the government of Pedro Sánchez and Torres of neglecting the historical security demands of the islands and of “playing with the expectations of the Canarians”.
The Popular leader called for the fulfilment of commitments made and for a meaningful enhancement of human resources for the State Security Forces in Lanzarote and throughout the archipelago.
