The PSOE of Tías assures that it was Oswaldo Betancort who authorized the Masdache antenna

The City Council of Tías clarifies to the citizens that the authorization of the antenna in the Protected Landscape of La Geria was granted by the Cabildo of Lanzarote and signed by its president, Oswaldo Betancort. "It is contradictory that, after issuing the authorization, they now intend to transfer responsibilities or announce conversations with the telephone company", they state from the Consistory.

“The president of the Cabildo cannot ignore what he signs or generate confusion about his own decisions. What the island needs is not occurrences or constant rectifications, but serious and responsible work. Today we are talking about the antenna, yesterday about a document on renewable energies in which he first accepted 4% of the land and then contradicted his own signature”, said the councilor of the responsible area of the City Council of Tías, Mariana Pérez.

With regard to protected natural spaces, the legislation is clear: the Cabildo is the competent administration to authorize any action in the Natural Park of La Geria. The City Council can only process licenses when it has the prior and binding authorization of the island institution.

Likewise, Law 42/2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity reinforces that these powers lie with the managing administrations, in this case the island councils. On the other hand, Law 11/2022 on Telecommunications, in application of European regulations, declares telecommunications infrastructures as a service of general interest and obliges administrations to guarantee connectivity as an essential element for equal opportunities, territorial cohesion, the promotion of teleworking and conciliation, the reduction of travel and decarbonization.

Therefore, "authorizing an antenna on protected land requires compliance with environmental and urban planning regulations, but also responds to the legal mandate to guarantee connectivity as a social right and a public service of the 21st century", they said.  

“The Cabildo cannot divert attention or confuse citizens. The regulations are clear and the responsibility too. Lanzarote needs less noise and more management”, concluded councilor Mariana.