For the past week, six activists have been maintaining a hunger strike, setting up campaign stands in front of the Church of La Concepción in La Laguna, Tenerife. Their main demands include a tourism freeze in the Canary Islands, an immediate halt to the construction works at the Hotel de la Tejita, and the Cuna del Alma urbanization.
“The hunger strikers are displaying vital signs that are outside the normal range, posing a serious risk to their health. Currently, they are experiencing hypotension and hypoglycemia, indicating low blood pressure and sugar levels, along with significant weight loss,” explained one of the nurses providing care at the site during a press briefing.
“The figures are truly concerning. Continuing the strike could result in irreversible neurological damage or even fatalities. They have been striking for six days under extreme weather conditions, exacerbated by the heat which has further deteriorated their health,” the nurse warned about the challenging living conditions.
Despite this critical situation, the La Laguna City Council has not responded to requests for an ambulance or immediate medical assistance on-site. The longer this crisis persists, the higher the likelihood of severe long-term health consequences or potentially fatal outcomes.
The group known as Canary Islands Sold Out has directly petitioned the President of the Government of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, demanding the enforcement of existing laws to halt the “illegal mega-projects that are harming our island and to impose a freeze on tourism.”
“Mr. Clavijo, you hold the power to rectify this entire scenario. Ignoring the repercussions of the current exploitative and speculative model that you staunchly support is untenable. Previously, you asserted your unwavering commitment to defending unlawful tourist mega-projects, even bestowing awards upon hotels facing demolition orders. As public dissent has intensified, you initially called for reason and then urged for calm to mask your unease. Subsequently, you advocated for a review of the tourism model and even hinted at a potential tourist tax. You acknowledged the Canary Islands’ severe issue of wealth concentration. We witnessed you publicly demonstrating on the 20th as if you were an ordinary citizen. Enough of patronizing the populace, enough of insincere rhetoric, cease underestimating people’s intellect,” the group expressed.
They issued a stark warning that “time is of the essence, not only for us and the hunger strikers’ wellbeing, but for the future of the Canary Islands, which is precariously hanging in the balance.” Therefore, “should Mr. Clavijo persist in inaction and negligence, we urge the society of the Canary Islands to back our cause and vehemently demand accountability from him.”
