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La Voz Canaria

Political Tension in Canary Islands Over Luxury Cruise Ship with Hantavirus

The Government of the Canary Islands expresses its "strong opposition" to the arrival of the MV Hondius in Tenerife, citing lack of information and health risks.

Generic image of a microphone on a podium, symbolizing a political statement or press conference.
IA

Generic image of a microphone on a podium, symbolizing a political statement or press conference.

A new political controversy has emerged between the Government of the Canary Islands and the State regarding the potential arrival in Tenerife of the cruise ship MV Hondius, which is affected by a hantavirus outbreak that has caused three deaths.

The president of the autonomous executive, Fernando Clavijo, expressed his displeasure, stating that he learned through the media about Spain's decision to receive the vessel on the island. This statement was promptly denied by the central government, which claims to have provided all information in real-time.
The World Health Organization (WHO) formally requested Spain to allow the disembarkation of passengers in the Canary Islands, invoking International Law and humanitarian spirit. The Ministry of Health, led by Mónica García, emphasized Spain's "moral and legal obligation" to assist these individuals, among whom are 14 Spanish citizens.
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"It makes no sense for the cruise passengers to embark on a three-day journey to the Archipelago when they can already be repatriated from Cape Verde to their countries of origin."

Fernando Clavijo · President of the Government of the Canary Islands
The Canarian president has expressed his "strong opposition" to the disembarkation, arguing that the necessary safety conditions are not guaranteed and that the decision lacks a technical basis. Furthermore, he insisted that repatriation could be carried out from Praia International Airport in Cape Verde, where the MV Hondius remains anchored after Cape Verdean authorities refused to allow its docking for public health reasons.
The autonomous vice-president, Manuel Domínguez, also criticized the lack of information and the absence of Canarian representatives in the central government's meetings on this matter. The Government of the Canary Islands has demanded "truthful" information to act responsibly and has requested that the ship's transfer to the islands be considered only as a "last resort".
In subsequent statements, Clavijo reiterated that his government learned of the decision through the press and emphasized his duty to "defend" the Canary Islands. From Brussels, he also accused the president of the central government of not "respecting" the autonomous community and of generating "uncertainty, distrust, and unease".
Sources from the central government have indicated that both the Minister of Health and the Minister of Territorial Policy, Ángel Víctor Torres, have maintained communications with the Canarian president, describing it as "very irresponsible to instill fear in the citizenry".

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