The regional president affirmed that Canarias' actions were characterized by responsibility and utmost diligence, but regretted the improvisation and lack of information from the State in a situation that, according to him, was decided over 5,000 kilometers from the Archipelago.
“"One thing is solidarity and quite another is to accept improvisation, lack of information, and imposition when the safety of the population and the professionals involved in an operation of these characteristics are at stake."
The Canarian Government, which learned about the MV Hondius crisis through the media, repeatedly requested explanations from the State regarding the change in criteria, the decision not to continue the journey to the Netherlands, the failure to resolve the situation in Cape Verde, and the absence of prior PCR tests for all passengers and crew.
The president criticized the State's attitude, describing it as arrogance and the concealment of vital information, which was essential for the operation and for the peace of mind of the Canarian people. He insisted that Canarias acted with institutional loyalty, proposing measures to reduce risk, such as PCR testing before disembarkation and concentrating the operation into a single day, but all suggestions were dismissed.
“"Time, evolution, and subsequent days have proven us right."
Subsequent events, with the confirmation of infections linked to the vessel, validated the regional Executive's warnings. The president highlighted Canarias' technical and scientific capacity to handle such an operation, thanks to its hospitals, universities, and laboratories.
Given the lack of information and the State's already adopted decision, the Canarian Government chose to “step aside” to avoid hindering the operation, but without being complicit in a decision made without information or institutional respect. The president denounced that the State acted outside the Canarian institutions and its scientific community, and warned that it would not accept decisions imposed from Madrid that jeopardize the health security of the Archipelago.
Finally, the president reiterated that Canarias is and will continue to be supportive, but that solidarity requires transparency, guarantees, and institutional respect. He thanked several parliamentary groups for their support of his Government's stance in defending the islands' interests.
