Gustavo Armas clarifies that he never intervened in the committees and highlights the work of Conrado Domínguez, who “assisted greatly”
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 22nd Jan. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The former director general of Emergencies and Security of the Government of the Canary Islands during the last legislative session, Gustavo Armas, stated on Wednesday that “the measures were implemented very effectively” throughout the health crisis, governed by a “command team” that was in no way a “farce” – addressing the critiques from the Nationalist Group -.
During his testimony before the investigative committee of the Parliament of the Canary Islands, he noted that there were “challenging years,” but attributed the “success” of the pandemic management on the islands to the efforts of Minister of Security and Emergencies, Julio Pérez, and the former president, Ángel Víctor Torres, who “performed exceptionally.”
He emphasised that “they exerted tremendous effort” because they wanted to ensure “grandparents did not perish, and there was not “sufficient material for everyone,” yet here he commended the collaboration with the SCS and its director, Conrado Domínguez, who remained “very professional” and offered substantial assistance. “There was not a single issue with him,” he included.
Armas elaborated that a task force was established alongside the Canarian Police and developed a computer application to monitor the status of the elderly residing in care facilities – a model that was later sought after by Seville and Mallorca – which ensured that no elderly individual died due to malpractice. “We carry that in our backpack,” he stated.
He clarified, in response to queries from several deputies, that he “never” participated in the committee of experts or the health management committee, although he did convene various meetings concerning security matters at the Presidency of the Government.
“My role was not to voice my opinion in a committee,” while also indicating that he “never” had knowledge of any potential suggestions regarding the procurement of medical supplies from certain companies, nor does he have acquaintances like Koldo García, Víctor de Aldama, or the former Minister of Transport, José Luis Ábalos, among others.
“I neither know nor possess information regarding them; these are matters that will need to be investigated,” he articulated, but he doesn’t doubt that there will always be “gaps” in society, as it is something “innate to deceive.” “No one spoke to me about purchases or favours,” he asserted.
Armas was emotional when reflecting on the arrival of the first vaccines in the Canary Islands, recalling the operation involving seven helicopters and escorts from the Canary Islands Police to deliver them across the islands. “I informed the president of the Cabildo of La Gomera, assistance is heading to your island, and it was a tremendous joy to witness people getting vaccinated,” he remarked.
INSULTS AND DEATH THREATS FOR CLOSING HOTEL DEL SUR
He also evaluated how the initial case of Covid-19 was traced among tourists arriving in La Gomera and the subsequent closure of the hotel in southern Tenerife, which housed approximately 1,000 tourists.
“We were on standby as we were working,” he recalled, sharing how he faced “insults and death threats” because the Government of the Canary Islands was accused of “destroying tourism,” when, twenty days later, the entire country was shut down, resulting in “horrific months” with fatalities that were “overwhelming.”
He commented that the citizens of the islands behaved “disciplined” beyond “some extremists,” and declined to assess the dismissal of Health Minister, Teresa Cruz, only noting that “she suffered greatly” in the early days of Covid-19 and “made numerous calls” requesting supplies for healthcare professionals.
