The tense relationship between the government partners of the Arrecife City Council has worsened as a result of the suspension of the Sunset Festival on October 15. The Councilor for Tourism, Armando Santana, has detailed in an interview with Techy Acosta on Radio Lanzarote how the Councilor for Police, Jacobo Lemes, insulted him, even going so far as to put "his hand on him." In the interview, he criticizes that both he and other colleagues "have suffered vexations and psychological abuse" by members of the Canarian Coalition.
What happened at the Arrecife Sunset Festival?
The Arrecife Sunset Festival is a private event. We were working with the promoter himself for some time so that it could take place last weekend. Because I'm already telling you that the financial item is covered by the Government of the Canary Islands. The area that I manage was solely and exclusively the light and sound. And the light and sound were on stage. What has happened is that last week we were already hearing the intentions of certain political and public figures saying that this was not going to work out. Some colleagues and neighbors even called me to tell me if I was going to have enough courage to authorize an event in which there was no permit from the Classified Activities area, which is the responsibility of the Canarian Coalition.
From Councilor Maciot Cabrera?
Yes. And I want to remove the officials and technicians from all this controversy. I am talking about political responsibilities. I was in the Parque Islas Canarias from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and then what I did was ask them to remove the light and sound because what I was not going to do, no matter how much of a concert it was, was to celebrate an act of the Arrecife City Council knowing that they did not have all the permits.
Why do the young people of the Canarian Coalition say that “they are not going to commit any illegality” to cover up “your ineptitude”?
Because they are lying. This is easy to understand by looking at the file. The commitment of the area that I manage is light and sound. Nothing more. And whoever has to give the permits is an area of the Canarian Coalition. And if another concert is canceled this weekend, the responsibility will be theirs.
According to CC “the first permit had to be issued by the General Directorate of Coasts. The company organizing it should have requested it with an advance notice that was not met.” So, what role does Coasts play in this conflict?
It is that it was Classified Activities that did not give the permit. Let them provide me with all the permits from Coasts that the Canarian Coalition has requested with this new councilorship that they have invented to hold more parties, which is that of Mr. Maciot. If permits have to be requested, they are requested, and if it cannot be celebrated, it is not celebrated. I am not going to commit any illegality because I have seen officials go through the courts and be charged for more than 12 years. The ordeal and suffering that these people go through cannot be described with words.
Saro González has commented to us that they had a meeting due to the constant arguments and lack of communication they have. How was it?
It was totally disappointing. What is happening is that CC is taking this entire crisis that they are having internally to the institutions. When I was on my way to the meeting, which was held on Monday, I had to ask Jacobo Lemes, who is a police councilor - a person who must guarantee the security of this municipality - to stop yelling at me. He insulted me, approached me and put his hand on me.
I had to take his hand off. There are witnesses and cameras. There were also neighbors recording, whom I want to apologize to for witnessing this spectacle. But that's not all. Already in the meeting, Mr. Echedey, in front of the mayor herself and my colleagues. Colleagues from the government group itself have called me asking for forgiveness and asking me how I had spent the night.
What you are saying is of great seriousness
Absolute. It should be remembered that Jacobo Lemes is San Ginés' man in Arrecife and we must remember how Mr. Pedro San Ginés behaved in the Cabaldo de Lanzarote, with that violence that colleagues such as Daniel Cabecera, from the Ganemos political formation, or Manolo Cabrera himself had to suffer. But that doesn't work with me and they know it perfectly well.
Did the mayor see that situation?
The one outside the plenary, no. We were outside. But she did see how they insulted me in the same meeting. But it's not her fault, far from it.
It is not her fault, but she can bring them together and say that we have come this far. It is supposed to be a government group.
There is not going to be a solution. Politics is about numbers and you have to govern with some or others.
Or you go home too...
No, we have a lot at stake. We are risking solving people's problems, which is what interests and worries me about all this. My only motivation is to try to make people happy, believe me, that's how it is. And the mayor has also had her share during all this time after signing that pact with CC. Mine is not an isolated case. Colleagues were calling me that same day telling me that they have suffered vexations and psychological abuse from some of them. And now that we are preparing a wonderful event in the town of Teguise with the world of Canarian culture and which will be attended by two of my colleagues, who are mayors and Gran Canaria and great references of nationalism, they come out with this story of young people insulting me, who am part of the government group. Right now they have a leadership problem of who is going to head the Cabildo and they are trying to divert attention.
Why do the young people accuse you and not CC directly?
It's tremendous, isn't it? I wonder what motivates a young person to join a party when he sees that his reference in Fuerteventura, Mario Cabrera, is going to sit on the bench. Or to see that Mr. Pedro San Ginés is charged with several crimes such as, according to a judge today, belonging to a criminal organization. Or Fernando Clavijo himself, the Prosecutor's Office of the Supreme Court is requesting his indictment for another case of corruption. When we understand exactly how a political organization works, we see how it acts, unfortunately, in public administration.
Is there a decision by the Canarian Coalition to kick them out of the government group and start the election campaign?
I have not said it. The mayor has said it in this media outlet. We dedicate ourselves to work and I have to thank the mayor for those words she said in reference to me, the Popular Party and Mrs. Elizabeth Merino. Others dedicate themselves to campaigning, such as the Canarian Coalition.
