Podemos Adeje criticises the current Canary Islands government under Fernando Clavijo (Canarian Coalition) for favouring the developers of the luxury tourism project Cuna del Alma when they approved a reduction of over 50% in the fine originally proposed by the previous regional administration for the destruction of protected archaeological sites. This sanction file was initiated by the General Directorate of Heritage, previously managed by Nona Perera, during the last legislature, but it lapsed shortly after CC regained regional authority.
It is also important to highlight that the current director of Heritage, Miguel Clavijo, has reclassified the infraction by downgrading it from “very serious” to “serious,” despite the damage inflicted on the archaeological heritage being deemed irreversible. This occurred whilst there were resolutions advocating for strict halts, states the party.
Gabriel González, councillor for United We Can in Adeje, deems this decision “outrageous” and believes it exacerbates the lack of protection for Canarian heritage. “Not only has a unique site been destroyed, but the government is now minimising the penalty and downplaying the seriousness of the situation, acting according to the interests of the developers.”
The sanctioning file acknowledges three serious violations: the alteration of an archaeological site without permission, lack of archaeological oversight during earth-moving activities, and failure to comply with precautionary measures imposed by the Cabildo de Tenerife. The total fine amounts to just over €229,000 and compels the developer to implement compensatory measures, even though technical reports confirm that the damage is irreversible.
The Municipal Government Group, led by Jose Miguel Rodríguez Fraga (PSOE), must also be held accountable for not having established a Cultural Heritage Protection Catalogue, as mandated by current Canarian legislation. This oversight, according to the party, has resulted in a state of legal defencelessness that permits the systematic violation of the archaeological heritage within the municipality. “Fraga’s administration has been complicit in this destruction due to its failure to fulfil its responsibilities. The absence of a municipal protection catalogue represents a grave institutional negligence,” asserts González.
The party recalls that this resolution has emerged just five days before a series of protests aimed at defending the territory and island heritage, set to take place on May 18. “While citizens rally to safeguard the common good, institutions bow to private interests,” remarked the local spokesperson.
Podemos Adeje demands a comprehensive review of the sanctioning file, the immediate development of the heritage catalog as required by law, and decisive action from both the City Council and the Canary Islands Government to ensure the preservation of the archaeological and cultural heritage.
