The mayor of Santa María de Guía, in Gran Canaria, has issued a public apology after testing positive in a breathalyzer control conducted last Monday. During the test, the official nearly tripled the permitted alcohol limit, leading to a complaint filed by the Local Police of San Bartolomé de Tirajana.
“"What happened has no justification or excuse whatsoever. I fully assume responsibility for the events."
The municipal leader acknowledged that, as an institutional representative, he must always maintain conduct consistent with the responsibility of his position. He addressed the residents of the municipality directly to convey his regret and acknowledge the mistake made, aiming to respond publicly to the citizenry.
Despite the controversy generated, the mayor has confirmed that he will continue to lead the Guía City Council alongside the current municipal government team. He defended the management carried out over the last year and a half, assuring that the local executive has worked to lay the foundations for a promising future for the municipality and that the political project has citizen support.
He also dedicated part of his speech to apologizing to his colleagues in the government team for the impact this situation may have had on them, both politically and personally. He publicly thanked them for the support received and acknowledged the “discretion” and “institutional loyalty” shown by the municipal opposition groups during these days.
The mayor also regretted that this incident had been politically exploited by a representative from another municipality on the island. He considered these actions a lack of institutional loyalty that could affect relations of cooperation and mutual respect between the two localities. He insisted on the need to maintain dialogue and collaboration between public administrations.
Finally, he reiterated his apologies to all citizens of Guía, acknowledging the damage to the institutional image of the City Council. He thanked them for the support received and reaffirmed his absolute commitment to the municipality and its residents. He also addressed personal words to his mother and daughter, asking for their forgiveness for the suffering this situation has caused them.
The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) warns that even small amounts of alcohol affect driving, decreasing reflexes, concentration, and increasing reaction time. A blood alcohol level of 0.5 grams per liter doubles the risk of collision, and 0.8 g/l multiplies it by five. The maximum permitted rate in Spain is 0.5 g/l in blood (0.25 mg/l in exhaled air) for most drivers, and stricter for new and professional drivers. The DGT is considering lowering the limit to 0.2 g/l in blood and 0.1 mg/l in exhaled air.
