Santa Cruz de Tenerife 11 Feb. (Europa Press) –
The president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, expressed her apprehension on Tuesday regarding the potential dissolution of the reserve and security group number 8 (GRS 8) of the Canary Islands, which is currently stationed at the facilities of North Tenerife airport.
Concurrently, she reaffirmed her staunch support for the Civil Guard and conveyed her “categorical opposition” should the Ministry of the Interior ratify this decision.
If the concerns raised by professional associations of the Civil Guard are substantiated, this decision by the Ministry of the Interior would result in “significant detriment” to the safety of the Canary Islands, as it would deprive the islands of a specialised unit capable of handling security services at large gatherings, in addition to their roles in ports, airports, and sensitive public and private facilities such as electric and thermal plants, as noted in a statement.
According to the information managed by the Cabildo, the group, comprising roughly 100 personnel, is required to vacate its current quarters due to the renovation work at the airport terminal.
In light of the challenges in finding a new base, the Ministry of the Interior has reportedly opted to redistribute agents across various locations on the mainland, assuring that, if necessary, reinforcement units could be dispatched to the islands.
Disadvantage in troop distribution
The president of the Cabildo de Tenerife perceives this action as yet another injustice to the Canary Islands, given that the Civil Guard Reserve and Security Group encompasses around 1,800 agents distributed across eight groups nationwide, whereas in the Canary Islands, a decision has been made to forgo this specialised unit, despite it being an ultraperipheral region.
In this context, Rosa Dávila has expressed concern over any decision that might lead to a reduction of troops in the archipelago, emphasising the necessity of ensuring an adequate operational presence of State Security Forces and Bodies in the Canary Islands, particularly during a time of escalating migratory pressure and an alarming shortfall of personnel.
For the president of the Insular Corporation, “the Civil Guard holds a vital role in our land, not only in safeguarding essential infrastructure and maintaining public order, but also in emergency management, assisting in crisis situations, and their relentless efforts in combating various forms of crime.”
She further remarked that “any restructuring impacting their operational capabilities must be meticulously evaluated with a thorough understanding of its implications for public safety.”
Rosa Dávila emphasised that at a time when “safety is a crucial factor amidst extraordinary population growth, an upsurge in tourism, and a migratory crisis, it is unfathomable to implement decisions that may undermine the protection of citizens and the perception of the Islands as a secure destination for living and visiting.”
In light of this scenario, the president of the Cabildo will propose that the insular corporation formally communicates with the Government of Spain and the Ministry of the Interior to reconsider this measure and to ensure that Tenerife and the wider archipelago possess the necessary human and material resources to uphold safety standards.
She has also reiterated the importance of any decision of this nature being made with complete transparency and in consultation with security professionals and local institutions, as it directly impacts the safeguarding of citizens.
