The commander of the Canary Islands Army Command, Julio Salom, praised the outcomes achieved through Operation Prometeo, also known as Tinerfeño Sentinel, during a speech on Military Easter this Monday in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This operation, which took place last summer, facilitated a military presence aimed at safeguarding the Forest Crown and the laurisilva paradise in Anaga. He also touched upon topics such as Valencia, immigration issues, and the forthcoming deployment of troops to Lebanon.
The event was held at the Palace of the General Captaincy of the Canary Islands. Commencing at 11:00 a.m., as the city began to awaken from the festivities of Twelfth Night, Weyler Square played host to a military parade attended by both civil and military officials and a number of local residents and bystanders. The parade included the Tenerife 49 Infantry Regiment, the War Band number 2 of the XVI Canary Islands Brigade, and the Music Unit of the Canary Islands Command.
Following the street ceremony, attendees made their way to the Throne Room in the Capitanía Palace for the institutional reception. Under the beautifully painted dome by Gumersindo Robayna, various honours were presented, and General Salom delivered the customary address on behalf of the king. Salom began his speech with a heartfelt acknowledgment of the regions of Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Andalusia. He expressed, “We stand ever prepared to support those in distress, and from here we extend our compassion and solidarity to the victims while wishing for swift and effective reconstruction, as well as heartfelt admiration for the colleagues currently active on the ground, a number exceeding 8,000 military personnel, along with numerous other bodies and countless volunteers, as part of the Operation to Support Cleanup and Recovery Efforts due to Floods in Valencia.” Additionally, he highlighted the contribution of 240 volunteers from the Canary Islands Air Command to the Valencia efforts.
International Missions
Salom also spoke of international operations, announcing that preparations are underway for a deployment to Lebanon scheduled for May. He noted, “This mission will operate under more stringent conditions, exacerbated by the current regional instability.”
Another issue affecting everyone, he noted, is irregular immigration, which has been an ongoing concern for our Archipelago throughout 2024. “In this regard, our civil guards work alongside our police officers and many other dedicated public servants from the island offices, Salvamar, the Red Cross, and NGOs, grappling with one of the most daunting humanitarian crises of recent years, which shows no signs of abating,” the commander stated.
Julio Salom pointed out that there has been an uptick in migrant numbers in 2024, adding, “The advancements in infrastructure and enhancements in management and coordination have facilitated the proper reception and referral of immigrants.” He continued, “Despite this progress, we have once again faced difficult periods due to perilous journeys, unpredictable seas, and inadequate modes of navigation.” He placed emphasis on the “efforts made by land, sea, and air units on the coastlines of African Atlantic countries, in collaboration with their law enforcement agencies, enabling the interception of thousands of individuals attempting to embark on their journey.”
The achievements realised in 2024 and the significant challenges lying ahead were among other concerns he addressed. The Operation Prometheus was mentioned towards the conclusion of his speech, where he commended it as a model of “negotiation processes and agreement signings,” in addition to showcasing “a rapid capacity for deployment and flexibility to adapt to the mission.”
“In this regard, I want to express my pride in Colonels Bote and Cherino, and I must acknowledge every single soldier who has diligently conducted patrols through Arafo, Icod, El Rosario, Güímar, or La Orotava. Not a single day or night have I observed them downtrodden or fatigued; they have remained enthusiastic, motivated, and vigilant against any threat,” he praised. “This operation would not have succeeded without two key elements: the trust vested in us by the Cabildo and the unwavering commitment of all personnel involved in the command, control, and logistics support,” he added, while also recalling the award of the Medal of Municipal Merit of La Orotava to the Command of the Canary Islands and the UME.
