On Monday, Pedro Martín, the president of the Socialist Group in the Cabildo of Tenerife, urged the island corporation to defend its collective decision made in December last year, to establish Tenerife as the main headquarters of the National Volcanology Center.
This comes after the counselor of the Presidency of the Government of the Canary Islands, Nieves Lady Barreto (CC), recently ruled out Tenerife.
In December 2023, the Plenary of the Cabildo approved a motion, proposed by the Socialist Group, in support of Tenerife being the main headquarters of the National Volcanology Center, which the State Government announced would be in the Canary Islands with an initial investment of five million euros.
However, the socialist group has criticized the regional Executive for disregarding Tenerife and proposing La Palma as the main headquarters. They emphasized that the Minister of Science, Diana Morant, had stated that the center would have headquarters and sub-headquarters, with the first being in Tenerife according to the Socialist Group.
Pedro Martín highlighted the long history of scientific research and investment in volcanological research in Tenerife, through the public company Involcan, which should not be overlooked by the Government of the Canary Islands.
Martín emphasized, “It is time to recognise Tenerife for this work and unequivocally support it as the headquarters of the Volcanology Centre.”
The PSOE of Tenerife criticized the Cabildo for diverting attention to La Palma after the 2021 eruption crisis, and called for continued support for Tenerife’s involvement in volcanological research, regardless of political affiliations in different mandates of the Cabildo.
In 2022, Pedro Martín expressed his support for Tenerife to host the headquarters of all institutional organizations related to the interests of the island. He also lamented the silence of the island president, Rosa Dávila, in enforcing the agreement approved in the Tenerife council.
Tenerife, with its history of research and being the area of Spain with the highest volcanic risk, is well positioned to host the National Volcanology Centre.
Pedro Martín expressed his regret over the silence of the island president and assured support if she decides to advocate for Tenerife’s cause against the Government of the Canary Islands.