The Lanzarote Sports Councillor, Juan Monzón, has come under scrutiny from the PSOE party following his recent twelve-day trip to Kona, Hawaii. The socialists are demanding details about the purpose of the visit, its itinerary, and a breakdown of transport, accommodation, and daily expenses. They emphasize that former President Oswaldo Betancort must provide documentation justifying these costs. However, the PSOE also faces a question about the financial management during its own time in office, particularly regarding past expenditure.
The opposition’s role includes holding the government accountable, but their criticism loses strength when it focuses solely on the current administration’s travel costs while neglecting their own financial history. The PSOE previously managed the Cabildo and was involved in extensive tourism promotion, which involved significant expenditure. While these past actions do not invalidate their current criticisms, they highlight the need for fair comparisons based on consistent data rather than selective figures.
On 15 October 2026, the PSOE raised concerns about Monzón’s trip, questioning its necessity and length while requesting information on dates, the delegation involved, and associated costs. However, these statements alone do not fully clarify the total cost of the trip nor confirm the exact use of public funds.
The Cabildo has a duty to release detailed information including authorisations, the agenda, invoices, recognised allowances, and the funding sources for each cost. Monzón’s trip should have clearly defined outcomes demonstrating its effectiveness if it was meant to promote sport.
Budget regulations cover allowances related to service, but do not prove that specific amounts were paid or that they were justified. This requires proper documentation. The PSOE is entitled to demand this information but should not present their claims as conclusive without a comprehensive review of their own past expenditures.
Looking at the broader financial picture, the Cabildo budget for 2023 was approximately €170.3 million, and while it increased under the current government, it is crucial to recognise that not all spending is for promotion or travel. The budgets fund various public services and infrastructure, and understanding actual spending requires consultation of financial reports and recognised obligations.
The PSOE must acknowledge that the government transition occurred mid-2023, which complicates attributing all spending during that period to just one party. If they want a complete comparison, they need to accept that it should be based on clearly defined periods and equivalent budget items.
Furthermore, international tourism promotion was a priority for the PSOE, with significant budgets allocated for overseas marketing in previous years. In 2022, under their management, they approved a record budget of €5.82 million for the Lanzarote Promotion Society.
In 2024, new figures were revealed showing that while the volume of business significantly increased, it cannot be attributed exclusively to one governance period. The differences between approved budgets and actual public contributions need careful examination, and the PSOE should not shy away from a comparative audit of promotional spending across both administrations.
Lastly, while the PSOE has highlighted potential expenditure discrepancies, these claims require thorough verification against complete financial records. The distinction between different types of expenses, including promotional costs versus direct travel expenses, cannot be overlooked.
The trip to Hawaii must be justified, with clarity on its purpose and outcomes. The PSOE must also accept that demanding accountability includes reflecting on their own past actions. The public deserves transparency from all parties involved, and the fundamental question remains: how effectively was public money spent, and what were the outcomes? If the PSOE wishes to contest current spending, they too must be prepared to account for their own financial decisions.
