Franco Statue in Tenerife to be Removed Following Public Pressure
The statue of Francisco Franco in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is set to be removed by the Ministry of Democratic Memory, as it has been added to the Catalogue of Relics. This decision has been welcomed by writer David Uclés, who last March vowed not to return to the island until the monument was taken down.
Uclés, who spoke at a forum in Tenerife, urged residents to “protest tirelessly” for the statue’s removal. In a video shared on social media, he expressed his dissatisfaction and promised not to visit again until his goal was achieved. His statements garnered significant public attention, including some threatening messages referencing lime and roadside graves.
Celebrating the announcement, Uclés commented, “Today I rejoice knowing that the one who will end up under the lime and earth will be the monument,” which he believes will be removed by the year’s end. He added, “Decades of struggle are finally paying off.”
Looking ahead, Uclés plans to return to the island with his next novel. He also casually suggested that a “giant Tirma” statue, or a sculpture of notable figures from Gran Canaria, be erected in place of Franco’s statue.
