The president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, participated this Tuesday in the homage held in memory of Juan Santana at the Máguez Sociocultural Center, an event organized by the Association of Friends of Wine and Cheese of Lanzarote and the José Clavijo y Fajardo Foundation that brought together hundreds of people linked to the political, social, and human trajectory of the historic Lanzarote leader.
During the meeting, relatives and close friends of Juan Santana intervened, as well as representatives of the organizing entities and public officials who recalled his figure from the political, human, and social spheres. The hall of the Máguez Sociocultural Center was packed with the public, reflecting the affection and respect that Juan Santana aroused for decades in Lanzarote.
Betancort, highlighted the figure of Juan Santana as "an active part of this island throughout his life", recalling his political career as mayor and councilor of the Cabildo of Lanzarote. "Juan Santana's commitment to Lanzarote was based on direct knowledge of the island's reality, closeness to the neighbors, and a clear vision for Lanzarote to advance without losing its identity," Betancort pointed out during his speech.
The president of the Cabildo also highlighted Santana's involvement with the primary sector and the island's traditions, especially through the Association of Friends of Wine and Cheese, assuring that "he contributed to keeping those identity markers alive and passing them on to new generations".
Likewise, he recalled that this tribute precedes the institutional recognition that the Cabildo of Lanzarote will grant him on June 25 at Jameos del Agua, where he will be named Favorite Son of Lanzarote posthumously.
During the ceremony, the Cabildo de Lanzarote presented a commemorative plaque to the family members of Juan Santana, in recognition of a career marked by public service, deep roots, and the defense of Lanzarote's identity.
For his part, the president of the Association of Friends of Wine and Cheese of Lanzarote, Mario Pérez, thanked the institutional and citizen response to the tribute. "The response from institutions, the Government of the Canary Islands, the Cabildo, and all the people who have approached with an enormous emotional charge gives us an incentive to continue working," he stated.
Pérez also recalled Juan Santana's intense work ethic and his constant involvement in the public and associative life of Lanzarote. "He did everything with immense passion," he pointed out, highlighting his role as mayor, island councilor, and president of both the Association of Friends of Wine and Cheese and the José Clavijo y Fajardo Foundation.
The Cabildo of Lanzarote thus joins the collective recognition of a figure who left a mark on different generations of Lanzaroteans and whose career remains linked to the defense of the territory, traditions, and development of the island.