Arguineguín became the focal point of a massive security operation orchestrated by the Guardia Civil on Thursday, covering land, sea, and air. The deployment, coordinated from the Comandancia de Las Palmas, concluded with absolute success, marking the largest operation in the command's history and ensuring the safety of Pope Leo XIV, authorities, and citizens.
The Civil Guard reinforced its ranks with units from the mainland, deploying a contingent of approximately 600 agents, 200 vehicles, 50 motorcycles, and five boats. Aerial surveillance included a Fixed-Wing aircraft from the Air Service, two helicopters, and surveillance drones. On the ground, precision marksmen from the Special Intervention Unit (UEI) monitored the surroundings, supported by rapid reaction teams. Urban surveillance was bolstered by the Rural Security Group (ARS), USECIC, GRS, Citizen Security, Traffic, K9 units, Judicial Police, Intelligence, Fiscal, and OMAC.
The threat of drones was countered by specialized teams for their detection and neutralization. In the maritime domain, the Guardia Civil Maritime Service, led by Commander Francisco José García Muñoz, secured the waters, while the Special Group of Underwater Activities (GEAS) had previously swept the port's seabed. Explosives disposal specialists (Tedax) and the Subsoil Reconnaissance Unit also participated in the operation.
The entire operation was coordinated from an advanced command post led by Commander José María Cuesta, who monitored real-time feeds from port cameras, aerial assets, and the highway. The Press Office of the Comandancia de Las Palmas, headed by José Santana along with officers Elvira Robles and Fayna Arencibia, played a crucial role in communicating information about the deployment and mobility.
“"We deployed personnel to form a team of precision marksmen to monitor the exteriors, who could have visual on the area where the Pope is during the event, and also a small reaction team to resolve any serious threat that might occur during the event."
“"We are here to, in case of a drone attack, inhibit them; the goal is to locate and determine if the drone is a threat or not to the Pope's visit."
“"All agents who have any role, whether in security, organization, or emergency, are integrated into this visit of the Holy Father to the port of Arguineguín."
