The Lanzarote branch of the PSOE has once again accused Oswaldo Betancort, the president of the Cabildo, of trying to secure financial support for Ángel Vázquez following his dismissal from the Centres for Art, Culture, and Tourism. During Monday’s Finance Committee meeting, a proposal for a 75% role for Vázquez was added to the agenda after an earlier attempt to withdraw it. The socialists describe this as a mockery of the public and an effort to shield the Popular Party councillor with public funds.
Ariagona González, the PSOE spokesperson at the Cabildo, directly blamed Betancort for this move. “Betancort withdraws the proposal in the Joint Board of Spokespersons, only to add it back later at 75%. He’s playing games with the public while seeking a way for Ángel Vázquez to continue being paid by the Cabildo,” she stated.
The PSOE highlighted in a press release that the controversy began after Vázquez approved a resolution that awarded his son a permanent position at the CACT. His departure from the Tourist Centres did not equate to leaving the island’s government, where he remains a member of the Executive Council.
“This embodies Oswaldo Betancort’s governance: a councillor secures a job for his son, and when the scandal arises, the president shields him and rewards him with public funding. It’s Betancort who is backing Ángel Vázquez, and he intends to do this with public money,” González asserted.
The PSOE claims this series of decisions illustrates Betancort’s commitment to ensuring Vázquez’s continued salary, despite widespread backlash. They stress that withdrawing a proposal only to later introduce a dedicated role at 75% does not fulfil their demands for accountability.
“We’re not asking for a reduction in the cost of protecting Ángel Vázquez; we are demanding that public funds are not used for his protection. The issue is not just how much he will earn, but why Betancort is determined to secure him a salary after all that has transpired,” González explained.
The PSOE believes that Betancort aims to ensure the institution covers the cost of the agreement between Coalition Canaria and the Popular Party. “Buying Ángel Vázquez’s political silence at 75% still involves using Lanzarote’s money. The public should not have to fund the agreements Betancort uses to appease his government partner,” González added.
She emphasised that Vázquez’s continued role in the island government puts the president directly at risk. “Betancort cannot hide behind the PP. It’s him who keeps Vázquez in the Executive Council and supports his pay. Removing the point at the Joint Board of Spokespersons only to reintroduce it with a different percentage shows how far he’s willing to go to protect him,” she said.
The PSOE has called for the withdrawal of the proposal for Vázquez’s role and demands his exit from the Executive Council. “Cabildo resources should address the needs of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, not reward a councillor following a scandal. We will continue to demand that Betancort stops protecting him and takes responsibility towards the public,” González concluded.
