Luisa Castro returned to the Güímar Town Hall for the third time, this time following a motion of no confidence supported by two Socialist councillors and one from Nueva Canarias. She has never shied away from debate. DIARIO DE AVISOS speaks with the new mayor about urgent matters and pending issues: the Franco monument, her model of governance, ongoing projects, and her stance on wind energy expansion in the municipality.
-How would you describe the current Güímar and how does it differ from the municipality you left during your previous term as mayor?
“You may find my answer mundane, but I believe we left in 2019 a municipality that shone, and we have found another grey one; benefiting those who aligned with the previous government to the detriment of those who did not. Divided, but not by ideas, rather by a clientelist management that favoured some against the rest.”
-One of the most pressing issues: what is your stance regarding the development of wind farms in Güímar? What impact do you foresee for the municipality?
“From an environmental standpoint, I believe the greatest impact may be visual, although the area where the project is designed is unpopulated. Economically, I hope that at least the landowners will benefit. And linking the economic to the social, while I cannot promise anything, I commit to meeting with the company to try to obtain the best advantages for Güímar.”
-Regarding the Franco monument in Santa Cruz and your expressed desire to relocate it to Güímar should it be reinstated. Is this still your view on this symbol?
“This work is a cultural and artistic treasure. When I voiced my opinion, was it easier to try to discredit me by arguing that my view on the monument made me a Francoist? I leave that to those who know me little. I shall repeat, my concern was, and is, that this work could end up at the bottom of the Atlantic, as some politician from Tenerife claimed. Did I not make myself understood? Well, I take that on board. But I will repeat as many times as necessary that my interest lies in not losing the work.”
-Amid the debates generated by the no confidence vote, one of the burning questions is whether the two Socialist councillors will be able to receive their salaries normally. And if they access them after being expelled from their party, do you foresee this matter ending up in court?
“If it comes to legal action, I do not know. The truth is that they can receive salaries, and there is also case law supporting this decision. In any case, I won’t be the one to say that they will be expelled from their parties for accompanying us in the motion. All I know is that if their corresponding political guarantee bodies listen to them sincerely, perhaps they will not be sanctioned.”
-Regarding the standstill in the creation of the public waste collection company, do you plan to resume this project that caused so many headaches for the previous government?
“The economic adjustment plan we are facing does not allow for it. However, those of us who signed the no confidence motion have a firm intention to dedicate all possible efforts to ensure that this public company becomes a reality as soon as it is economically viable.”
-Concerning the no confidence vote, do you think it will have consequences for the regional government pact after taking the mayoralty from CC? And within your party, did you have Manuel Domínguez’s approval?
“No, absolutely not. The pact between the PP and CC never contemplated the Mayor of Güímar. Moreover, at the risk of this sounding less than pleasant, I believe there was a certain political disinterest in our municipality back then. On the other hand, those who know me well are aware that I am a party woman. Loyal to my convictions and to the structure that allows me to be, politically, where I am. Anyone who thinks I have acted behind my party’s and leaders’ backs knows me very little.”
-One of the most controversial issues attributed to the previous mayor is the payment of overtime to the Local Police just days after taking office; he claimed to have resolved it. How has he achieved this?
“I expressed myself using two verbs: unblock and unclog the inherited conflict. This means working to reduce the tension and emotional intensity associated with that conflict. Active listening is vital, as is working coherently to find solutions. We will resolve it, with all the necessary work and interest as soon as possible. Is it definitively resolved? I haven’t said that. We are working hand in hand from day one to achieve it.”
-How do you feel returning to the Town Hall for the third time?
“The comfortable option would have been to remain in opposition and wait for the new elections. We had been watching how Güímar was deteriorating, and it was no longer a matter of political selfishness; it was now about the people. I recognise that I feel excited and eager to fulfil what we in the Popular Party have always said: to work for the people. I believe they should not be misled, and the economic situation we have inherited is, not by a long shot, what has been said, so we must proceed slowly because there is too much to do and resources are scarce.”
