The controversy arises after confirmation that the cruise ship MV Hondius, affected by a hantavirus outbreak that has already caused three fatalities, will disembark in Tenerife in the coming days. This information, reported by various media, has provoked a strong reaction from the regional authorities.

The regional president has expressed his firm opposition to the lack of information and transparency from the central executive. From Brussels, where he is currently located, he has requested an urgent meeting with the President of the Spanish Government to address the situation.

The Canarian administration argues that, to date, it has not received the necessary technical and epidemiological reports to ensure the health protection of the islands. Furthermore, it has questioned the logistics of the operation, suggesting that if the priority is humanitarian, aerial evacuation of passengers from Praia (Cape Verde) to their countries of origin should be considered, thereby avoiding the pathogen's transit to Canarian territory.

For its part, the Spanish Government defends that the reception of the vessel responds to an express request from the World Health Organization (WHO) and strict compliance with International Law. State sources assure that communication with the Canary Islands is “in real time” and that updated WHO reports are shared immediately.

The Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, in Tenerife, has been designated as the reference center for the operation, according to sources from the Ministry of Health. The cruise ship's doctor, who is in serious condition, is expected to be transferred to the island under strict protocols. This designation has caused bewilderment in the Government of the Canary Islands, which until recently had information ruling out the ship's stopover in the islands, unless there was a drastic worsening of the situation on board.