The PSOE party in Lanzarote has accused Oswaldo Betancort, the local president, of attempting to secure a substantial payout for Ángel Vázquez after his removal as head of the Centres for Art, Culture and Tourism (CACT). Although a proposal for Vázquez’s financial release was withdrawn at a Finance Commission meeting on Monday, it has since resurfaced on the agenda, now suggesting a 75% commitment.
The socialists have characterised this move as “an insult to the public” and an attempt to use public funds to protect the Partido Popular councillor. Ariagona González, the PSOE’s group spokesperson at the Cabildo, accuses Betancort of misleading the public by withdrawing and then reinstating the proposal. “He’s pulling a fast one on people while finding a way for Ángel Vázquez to keep drawing a salary from the Cabildo,” she said.
The controversy erupted when it was revealed that Vázquez had signed off on his son’s permanent position within the CACT. The PSOE insists that Vázquez’s exit from the tourist centres did not equate to leaving the island’s governing executive, as he remains a member of the Governing Council and retains a secretarial role.
“This illustrates Betancort’s administration: a councillor secures a position for his son while a scandal forces his removal, yet the president chooses to shield him and provide public backing,” González added.
The PSOE argues that this sequence of events shows Betancort’s determination to ensure Vázquez continues to receive financial support, despite public disapproval. They highlight that merely removing one proposal to introduce another at a 75% commitment does not meet the demands for accountability.
“We’re not demanding a cut in taxpayer expenses for Vázquez’s protection. We’re calling for an end to using public funds for this purpose. The issue isn’t just his salary; it’s why Betancort wants to guarantee one after this scandal,” González stated.
The PSOE believes Betancort is trying to make the institution bear the cost of preserving the coalition’s agreement with the Partido Popular. González emphasised that compensating Vázquez with public funds undermines the taxpayers of Lanzarote.
She cautioned, “Betancort cannot hide behind the PP. He is the one maintaining Vázquez in the Governing Council and endorsing his financial backing. His withdrawal of the item from the agenda only to return it later shows the lengths he will go to protect him.”
The PSOE has called for the immediate withdrawal of the release proposal and Vázquez’s removal from the Governing Council. “The Cabildo’s resources should serve the needs of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, not reward a councillor post-scandal. We will continue to demand that Betancort cease his protection of Vázquez and take responsibility to the public,” concluded González.
